National Security operatives in the Northern Region have adopted an unconventional tactic in their fight against street prostitution, ordering women arrested in Tamale to clean parts of the city’s central business district.

Joy News sources confirm that the operation, carried out in collaboration with migration authorities, targeted areas long identified as hotspots for street prostitution, though officials have not disclosed full details of the exercise.

The women were seen sweeping streets and collecting refuse in busy commercial areas, a move authorities say is intended not only as punishment but also as a public statement on discipline and urban cleanliness.

The action has triggered mixed reactions among residents. While some locals have welcomed the approach as a practical deterrent and a contribution to keeping the city clean, others have questioned its effectiveness and raised concerns about whether it addresses the underlying causes of prostitution.

Beyond prostitution, National Security has also intensified its crackdown on drug use in the region, with several arrests recorded in recent operations.

At a stakeholder engagement organised by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council late last year, the Regional National Security Coordinator expressed concern over the growing incidence of drug abuse among the youth, assuring participants that authorities would work closely with stakeholders to safeguard the city and restore public order.