The Delta State Police Command has arraigned a 63-year-old man, Prince Chizoba Ojokwu, before an Asaba Magistrate Court over allegations of operating a brothel and facilitating prostitution.

Ojokwu, identified by the police as the proprietor of Prince Tarvan 50 Brothel, was charged following an intelligence-led operation carried out across suspected criminal locations in Asaba and neighbouring communities.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the suspect was among 30 persons prosecuted after a raid conducted on July 4 by operatives led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

According to the command, a total of 202 suspects were arrested during the operation, which targeted identified black spots, brothels and suspected drug dens based on intelligence gathered by the State Intelligence Department.

Police said 172 of those arrested were released after preliminary investigations found no grounds for prosecution.

Ojokwu was arraigned on allegations of allowing his premises to be used as a brothel and procuring women and girls for prostitution, offences said to be punishable under Sections 223 and 224 of the Criminal Code Law of Delta State.

The remaining 29 defendants were charged with offences bordering on possession of illicit drugs and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, said the command would continue to ensure that all lawful arrests are followed by thorough investigations and prosecution where sufficient evidence exists.

He also warned individuals operating criminal hideouts and other unlawful establishments to discontinue such activities, stressing that the command would sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at improving security across the state.