The Kano State Tourism Management Board on Wednesday arrested two Cameroonians and one Ghanaian during a raid on Mbanefo Holiday Inn at Abeakuta Road, Sabon Gari area of Kano metropolis.
In a joint operation with police, operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, the board also arrested 28 persons in the hotel.
Addressing journalists shortly after operation, the managing director of the board, Abdullahi Gwarzo said the hotel was closed over illegal activities, contrary to provision of Section 44 (h) i-iii of Immigration Act (2015).
He added that the hotel was shut down as it was operating illegally without license, an offence that contravened the provision of the law of the board.
According to him, the illegal activities committed in the hotel include child abuse, human trafficking and trading, and prostitution.
He recalled that last year, the board arrested 14 Cameroon nationals who were on transit to France and issued a verbal warning to the management of the hotel to desist from the illicit acts.
He however stated that having examined the communication, the board observed that the hotel management was not ready to undertake lawful hotel business in the state and desist from the aforementioned nefarious acts.
In addition, the MD said the management of the hotel did not pay the statutory Tourism Development Levy, TDL for over two years.
He added that “after thorough investigation, we discovered that the hotel was operating without certificate from our board.”
“We had been ordered to conduct this operation by the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje after being informed about the activities being committed in the hotel.
“The governor was angry as it is a snag to the image and reputation of Kano State.”
The managing director therefore stated that the board would sustain the operation until it rid Kano of immorality and illegal activities in hotels and other places.
Mr Gwarzo also said the hotel would remain sealed until the board conclude investigation and determine whether to re-open it.
