The Kano State Government has announced an Executive Order prohibiting a group known as ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi,’ describing its activities as unlawful and a threat to public safety.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiyya, disclosed this on Friday, noting that the order was duly signed by Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf.
He explained that the directive was made pursuant to the governor’s constitutional authority to preserve public order and implement state laws in accordance with Section 5(2).
According to him, the Kano State Hisbah Board Law recognises only the officially constituted Hisbah Board as the sole body empowered to oversee Hisbah operations in the state.
“The government is concerned that some individuals are mobilising persons under the name ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’ without lawful authority,” he said.
He stressed that the Executive Order declares such actions illegal, warning that the existence of a parallel Hisbah structure could weaken the recognised board.
He said the directive bars any individual or group from recruiting, gathering or training persons to run any parallel Hisbah or related enforcement organisation.
“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 reaffirms the Hisbah Board as the only legitimate body responsible for Hisbah functions and forbids impersonation of its powers or insignia.
Abdullahi-Waiyya stated that the governor has instructed all security agencies to identify the organisers and financiers of the group and immediately stop their activities.
The Executive Order further cautions that membership or support of the group constitutes a violation 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 offenders would be prosecuted for unlawful assembly, impersonation and the establishment of an unauthorised enforcement body.
“This order takes immediate effect and will be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer,” he said.
