KANO: The Kano State Hisbah Board has reportedly arrested 17 young women over alleged immoral activities, including dancing on TikTok and loitering at public locations across Kano metropolis.
The arrests were reportedly carried out at different locations, including hotels and other popular spots, as part of the board’s ongoing enforcement operations aimed at curbing activities it considers contrary to its moral guidelines and regulations.
The Deputy Commander-General of the board, Malam Mujahideen Aminuddeen, confirmed the development in an interview with Daily Trust, saying the suspects were apprehended during routine surveillance and enforcement exercises.
According to him, the operation also led to the arrest of some commercial tricycle operators accused of carrying female passengers beside them in the driver’s area, rather than in the designated passenger seats.
Aminuddeen said preliminary screening showed that some of the young women arrested lacked basic knowledge of Islamic religious practices.
He explained that the board was making arrangements to provide them with religious instruction, including lessons on ablution, prayers and other aspects of Islamic education.
“We discovered that some of them lack basic Islamic knowledge. We are making arrangements to teach them ablution, prayer and other aspects of Islamic education,” he said.
The Hisbah official added that those arrested would remain in the board’s custody for a period while undergoing religious guidance and instruction.
He maintained that the exercise was intended not only to enforce the board’s regulations but also to correct behaviour and promote what it considers acceptable moral values within the state.
Aminuddeen reiterated the board’s commitment to promoting moral discipline and addressing activities it classifies as social vices across Kano State.
He also called on parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the conduct of their children, particularly their activities on social media platforms and in public spaces.
The arrests have brought renewed attention to the Hisbah Board’s enforcement activities in Kano, particularly its monitoring of social media content, public conduct and interactions between men and women.
The development may also generate debate over the boundaries of religious enforcement, personal freedom and the regulation of social behaviour, especially concerning young people and online content creators.
