Sokoto governor re-establishes Hisbah, cautions body against human rights violations

Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto on Thursday relaunched the state Hisbah and inaugurated its new office, urging the organization to remain steadfast and respect human rights in their duties.

The Hisbah will be overseen by a board under the state ministry for Religious Affairs.

The operations had previously suffered setbacks due to neglect by the former PDP government.

Governor Sokoto emphasised that the Hisbah’s activities would be monitored to prevent human rights violations.

He highlighted that the revival aims to promote Islamic culture, moral discipline, and values for societal peace and development, stressing that Islam opposes all forms of satanic behaviour.

“The state Hisbah would be encouraged to rid the state of social vices against consequences driven by negative morals and behaviours”, explaining that promoting religious activities was cardinal and in line with his administration’s 9-points Smart agenda while stressing that he would continue to give religious affairs deserving attention.

He stated: “Hisbah is not a state police but an organised body established to sanitise Muslims in the state.

“Police should also know that Hisbah is not a rival to its conventional operations and when they make arrest, suspects would be handed over to the police for onward prosecution at the court.

“We have made the necessary provisions for vehicles and motorcycles as well monthly imprest for their operations and soon, will inaugurate LG offices for expanded operations to commence”, the governor disclosed.

Accordingly, he explained that competent persons had been appointed to run the board for all operations to be coordinates within the ambit of the laws.

Also, Dr Jabir Sani Maihula , Commissioner for Religious Affairs said the revival of the state Hisbah, a body to operate under the coordination of the ministry was to ethical principles and strengthen societal morals m accordance with islamic values.

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“Hisbah operations will encourage and promote social sanity across the state and we appreciate the exceptional amd unequalled support to the ministry by Governor Aliyu Sokoto for encouraging and empowering religious institutions which enable us to realise the mandate of the ministry.

“This is a typical example of responsive leadership. This path, would enable the achievement of the highest standard of morality , harmony and sanity to prevail “, he stressed.

Similarly, Maihula noted that the state government has in less than 2 years , demonstrated commitment to executing meaningful capital projects in forging the propagation of islamic religious activities under the ministry which include; construction and renovation of mosques, cemeteries maintenance and expansion, welfare and empowerment gestures.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar represented by Waziri Sokoto, Sambo Wali Junaidu appreciated and welcomed the re-establishment and revival of Hisbah in the caliphate to also strengthen its operations inorder to boost and encourage moral sanity drive.

“This will positively influence trust and sanity among citizens and reshape and enrich them in faith for societal benefit”, he pointed out.

In the same vein , the guest speaker and Kano based renowned islamic scholar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa described the re-establishment of the Sokoto Hisbah body was a prompt step in right direction and right time by the governor.

He charged the body to display the virtues of patience, wisdom and knowledge while during operations noting that the composition of the board was instructive and well represented by competent persons with experience and determination.

According to Daurawa who is also the Kano state Hisbah commander ” you should be focused and discharge your responsibilities with trust and understanding by respecting the guiding rules and laws .

However, state Hisbah commanders of Niger, Muhammad Bello Musa ; Katsina, Dr Aminu Usman and Zamfara , Sheikh Umar Hassan Gusau also commended the state government for ensuring the rebirth of Hisbah in the caliphate.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the state assembly, Hon. Tukur Baka Bodinga, a Sokoto former deputy governor, Chuso Abdullahi Dattijo, Ambassador Sahabi Isa Gada , the Sadaukin Sokoto, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki , members of the state executive council , councils Chairmen, the state Grand Khadi, politicians, Islamic scholars and Ulamas graced the even which was climaxed with the decoration of the Sokoto state Hisbah Commander , Dr. Usman Jatau and inspection of the new Hisbah board edifice by governor Aliyu Sokoto.