Kano Hisbah Nabs 15 Suspected Prostitutes, Impounds Liquor Truck

As part of their engagement to enforce Shari’a compliance, the Kano State Hisbah Corps (KSHC) has impounded a truck loaded with at least 8,600 bottles of liquor in Kwanar Dangora village, along the Kano-Kaduna Expressway.

The Corps also said working to sanitise and rid the state of unlawful activities among residents, its operatives picked up 15 young women allegedly involved in acts of prostitution across Kano City.

According to the Officer in Charge (OC) of Intoxicants in the Kano State Hisbah Board, Idris Ibrahim, operatives of the Command had tracked the vehicle right from Kaduna until it arrived in Kano territory.

Ibrahim, who spoke on the development, said; “We stopped the vehicle in Kwanar Dangora and the driver even attempted to escape but our operatives apprehended him. You know it is illegal to sell and drink beer in Kano State. So, we are going to prosecute the driver in court after taking his information and making further investigation.”

Meanwhile, the Command also said that 15 young women were arrested during its operations in different parts of Kano City over alleged acts of prostitution, adding that the arrests took place in Sabon Gari, Old Zoo Road Motor Park, Miyangu Road, Hotoro, Tinshama, Hadejia Road, and Bakin River areas of the State.

Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah (DCG), Dr Mujahid Aminuddeen, disclosed that some of the suspects now in custody are mostly teenagers, and confessed to engaging in the illegal trade, noting that most of them have also been arrested by Hisbah operatives more than twice now.

Dr Aminuddeen said it is unfortunate that some of the suspected prostitutes have been arrested several times and charged in court, but they have refused to discontinue the practice and conduct that has been prohibited by law.

The Hisbah Commander further stated that; “It is unfortunate that some of these women leave their states and countries and come to Kano where they engage in prostitution and other objectionable behaviours. They roam the streets of Kano and do all sorts of things. We are calling on members of the public to continue to report such activities so that we can sanitise the state from evil.

“However, some of these girls also need prayers because when you talk with them, you understand that they find themselves in this situation because of hardship.”

Established by the State government in 2000 and further improved in 2003 with the institutionalization of formerly local and privately maintained Hisbah security units, the Kano State Hisbah Corps operates under the jurisdiction of a Hisbah Board comprising government officials, secular police officers, and religious leaders.

Hisbah, an Arabic word for “accountability”, is an Islamic religious concept that supports what is right and forbids what is wrong for every Muslim. The Corps is highly decentralized with local units supervised by committees consisting of officials and citizens in the communities where they operate.