Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto has relaunched the Sokoto State Hisbah, inaugurating a new office and urging the organization to prioritize respect for human rights in its operations. Speaking on Thursday, the governor emphasized that the revival of the Hisbah aligns with his administration's 9-point Smart agenda, aiming to promote Islamic culture, moral discipline, and societal peace. He assured that their activities would be closely monitored to prevent abuses while fostering positive Islamic values.
The Hisbah, now operating under the State Ministry of Religious Affairs, had suffered setbacks during the previous administration but has been revitalized with vehicles, motorcycles, and monthly allowances to ensure effective operations. The governor clarified that the Hisbah is not a police force but a moral body established to sanitize the Muslim community. Arrested individuals, he noted, would be handed over to the police for prosecution, highlighting collaboration rather than rivalry between the two institutions.
Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr. Jabir Sani Maihula, commended Governor Sokoto’s exceptional support for religious institutions, stating that the Hisbah would strengthen societal morals and promote social sanity across the state. He also praised the government’s commitment to capital projects, including mosque renovations, cemetery maintenance, and empowerment programs under the ministry.
Prominent figures such as Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa lauded the Hisbah’s revival as a significant step towards restoring societal harmony. The event, attended by state officials, traditional leaders, and religious scholars, concluded with the decoration of Dr. Usman Jatau as the Sokoto State Hisbah Commander and an inspection of the newly inaugurated board office.
