Islamic morality police in northern Nigeria has banned all nightclub activities across the Katsina state, citing Islamic principles and the need to uphold moral values.
The Commander-General of the Katsina State Hisbah Board, Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), made this announcement in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina.
Usman said that nightclub owners must shut down their establishments to curb immoral practices, protect societal values, and address security concerns in the state.
“The board warned that violators would face strict penalties. Security agencies have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the order.
“We are committed to building a morally upright society and ensuring peace and security in Katsina State,” the Hisbah boss said.
According to Usman, the board has informed relevant security agencies, including the state Commissioner for Internal Security, to enforce the directive effectively.
He added that the move aligns with Hisbah’s broader efforts to ensure that residents continue their lives in line with religious and moral standards.
The Hisbah Board is a religious police force responsible for the enforcement of Shari’a to only Muslims in Kano state and other parts of the northern Nigeria.
Since 2000, twelve states in northern Nigeria have added criminal law to the jurisdiction of Shari’a (Islamic law) courts. Shari’a has been in force for many years in northern Nigeria, where the majority of the population is Muslim, but until 2000, its scope was limited to personal status and civil law.
The relationship between the Hisbah Corps and civil police has been sometimes acrimonious. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to whom the Hisbah must report crimes, frequently refuse to cooperate in enforcement of religious law.
On multiple occasions, NPF officers have arrested Hisbah members for trespassing when the latter have attempted to enter private property to enforce Sharia. And, in 2006, two senior Hisbah officers were detained by federal police and questioned on suspicion they were seeking foreign funding to train militants.
As of 2010 there were approximately 9,000 male and female officers of the Kano State Hisbah Corps.
The Kano State Hisbah court has extended its rule to some Northern States with high population of Muslims in Nigeria. Some regions in States like Kaduna and Kwara now have rules from the court that governs them. The court set up rules that bans women and girls from using Mobile phones and sunglasses amongst other things listed.
Follow the KOIKIMEDIA NEWS 🗞️ CHANNEL on WhatsApp