The Kano State Government has issued an Executive Order banning a faction operating under the name “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi”, declaring the group illegal, unauthorised, and potentially dangerous to public order.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiyya, who confirmed that the order was signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf under his constitutional mandate to maintain peace and enforce state laws, specifically drawing on Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
Only the Official Hisbah Board Is Recognised
According to Abdullahi-Waiyya, the Kano State Hisbah Board Law recognises only the official Hisbah Board as the legitimate body authorised to coordinate Hisbah activities statewide. The emergence of the “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi,” he warned, represents an unlawful attempt to duplicate or undermine the state-established structure.
“The government is concerned that some individuals are mobilising persons under the name ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’ without lawful authority,” he said. He added that any parallel Hisbah arrangement risks destabilising the existing enforcement framework and confusing the public.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
The newly issued order spells out several prohibitions and enforcement directives:
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All recruitment, mobilisation, assembly, or training under the outlawed name is forbidden.
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Formation or promotion of any group resembling or claiming Hisbah powers outside the statutory board is declared unlawful and void.
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Impersonation of Hisbah authority, symbols, or functions is strictly prohibited.
The order emphasises that only the Kano State Hisbah Board has the statutory mandate to conduct Hisbah duties and that any unauthorised enforcement outfit threatens public safety and governance.
Security Agencies Ordered to Act
Governor Yusuf has directed all security agencies—including the police, DSS, NSCDC, and others—to:
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Investigate the organisers, financiers, and sponsors of the prohibited group.
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Shut down all activities associated with the faction immediately.
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Ensure that no parallel Hisbah structure is allowed to operate within the state.
The government also warned that joining, supporting, or promoting the group constitutes a breach of state laws. Those approached or recruited by the faction are advised to withdraw immediately and report the engagement to security agencies or the nearest Hisbah office.
Penalties and Legal Consequences
Individuals found violating the order may face prosecution for:
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Unlawful assembly
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Impersonation of government-recognised enforcement bodies
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Establishing or supporting an unauthorised security outfit
Abdullahi-Waiyya noted that the Executive Order takes immediate effect and will be formally gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer.
Government’s Position
The Kano government has framed the ban as a necessary step to prevent the emergence of unregulated enforcement groups that could jeopardise public safety, duplicate authority, or create confusion in the execution of Hisbah activities.
By reinforcing the exclusive authority of the official Hisbah Board, the administration aims to maintain a coherent, lawful, and centralised moral and community policing structure across the state.