Police arrest 39 over prostitution, seize drugs

DODOMA: A TOTAL of 39 people have been arrested in Dodoma over allegations of engaging in prostitution in various parts of the city, including areas surrounding the Gaddafi Mosque, as police intensify a monthlong crackdown on crimes.

Dodoma Regional Police Commander, ACP Gallus Hyera, told reporters on Monday that the arrests were part of a broader special operation conducted between April 14 and May 11, 2026, which netted 109 suspects linked to various criminal activities.

“We have conducted several patrols and operations that have enabled us to detect, prevent and dismantle crimes in different parts of Dodoma,” he said.

According to ACP Hyera, among those arrested is a 28-year-old murder suspect, Anord Lukama of Msangalale, who was apprehended on May 4 at around 9pm at Msangalale area, Dodoma Makulu Ward.

The operation also led to the arrest of 22 suspects found with stolen property, including four mobile phones, 13 television sets of different brands, a refrigerator, a computer monitor, two speakers, two radios, four gas cylinders and seven motorcycles. Police further seized 106 rolls of cannabis, four packets of drugs and 7,200 cannabis seedlings.

In a separate incident, police received fake currency notes worth 670,000/- from two mobile money agents who claimed they were handed the counterfeit money by unidentified individuals who fled immediately after completing transactions.

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On road safety enforcement, ACP Hyera said police recorded 11,782 traffic offences, while nine intercity bus drivers had their licences revoked for speeding, driving under influence of alcohol, negligence and causing accidents that resulted in injuries and deaths.

“Alongside enforcement, we have continued to provide road safety education in schools, colleges, places of worship and other public gatherings. This awareness has significantly contributed to reducing accidents in the region,” he added.

Regarding court outcomes, 37 convicts received various sentences, including six rape convicts jailed for 30 years each, one offender sentenced to 20 years for vandalising railway infrastructure, 29 drug offenders jailed for 30 years, and one assault convict sentenced to six months.

ACP Hyera urged Dodoma residents to continue cooperating with the Police Force by providing credible information that can help prevent crime and support prosecution processes.