Kano govt stops Ganduje’s plan to launch 12,000-member Sharia police

By Ayorinde Oluokun with agency report

The Kano State Government on Friday issued an Executive Order banning the set up of a sharia police called ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi,’ by former governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Ganduje had recently announced plans plans to launch the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi, across all 44 local government areas of Kano State.

Sheikh Haroon Sani Ibn Seena who chaired the Independent Committee said 12,000 people have been screened across the 44 local government areas of the state for recruitment into the initiative.

He said the initiative that was aimed to support the efforts of existing security agencies has been operating since the tenure of former governor Musa Kwankwaso, when he did not implement the full scope of Islamic Shari’a law at that time.

“The Independent Hisba Fisabilillah will work in collaboration with security agencies and will not tolerate any activities that contravene the law or go against the teachings of the Almighty God.”

But the Kano government is not convinced that the Hisba Fisabilillah initiative will be for the good of the state, describing it as illegal and dangerous.

Kano Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiyya, confirmed that the order was signed by Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf.

He said the order was issued under the governor’s constitutional powers to maintain public peace and enforce state laws in line with section 5(2).

According to him, the Kano State Hisbah Board Law recognises only the official Hisbah Board as the body authorised to coordinate Hisbah activities.

“The government is concerned that some individuals are mobilising persons under the name ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’ without lawful authority,” he said.

He noted that the Executive Order declares such mobilisation illegal, warning that a parallel Hisbah structure could undermine the established board.

He said the order forbids anyone from recruiting, assembling or training people to operate any parallel Hisbah or similar enforcement outfit.

“The formation or promotion of any group named ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’, or similar, is unlawful and void,” the commissioner said.

He added that the order confirms the Hisbah Board as the only lawful body for Hisbah duties and prohibits impersonation of its authority or symbols.

Abdullahi-Waiyya said the governor has directed all security agencies to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the group and halt their actions.

The order also warns that joining or supporting the group amounts to a breach of state laws.

“Anyone recruited or approached by the group should disengage immediately and report to security agencies or the nearest Hisbah office,” he said.

He added that violators face prosecution for unlawful assembly, impersonation and forming an unauthorised enforcement outfit.

“This order takes immediate effect and will be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer,” he said.

(NAN)