Kano State Government has proscribed a group operating under the name “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi”, reportedly launched by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and directed security agencies to halt its activities.
Ganduje had recently announced plans to roll out the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi across all 44 local government areas of Kano State. He said the initiative, aimed at supporting existing security agencies, has been in operation since the tenure of former Governor Musa Kwankwaso, when the full scope of Islamic Shari’a law was not implemented.
“The Independent Hisbah Fisabilillah will work in collaboration with security agencies and will not tolerate any activities that contravene the law or go against the teachings of the Almighty God,” Ganduje had stated.
However, the Kano State Government expressed skepticism about the initiative, describing it as illegal and dangerous.
The executive order, signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and dated December 8, 2025, noted that the government discovered ongoing recruitment, training, and mobilisation of youths into the group without lawful authority, in violation of the Kano State Hisbah Board Law.
The government stressed that the Kano State Hisbah Board remains the only legally recognised institution empowered to coordinate Hisbah-related duties in the state.
According to the order, the emergence of the parallel group constitutes an unauthorised enforcement structure capable of undermining public peace and the statutory mandate of the Board.
“It shall not be lawful for any person or group to recruit, assemble, mobilise, train, or deploy individuals for the purpose of operating a parallel Hisbah or similar enforcement outfit in the state,” part of the executive order read.
Governor Yusuf declared all activities of the group “unlawful, illegal and void”, warning that any impersonation of the Hisbah Board’s uniform, symbols, or authority would attract sanctions.
He directed the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies to investigate the promoters of the group, halt all recruitment or training, and take necessary measures to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Members of the public were warned that supporting or affiliating with the proscribed group constitutes a violation of state law. Individuals already recruited were advised to disengage and report to the nearest security formation, Hisbah office, or local government authority.
The order also prescribes penalties for violators, including prosecution for unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and establishment of unauthorised security formations.
The executive directive takes immediate effect and will be gazetted by the state government printer.
