The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested five people, including a bride and groom, for allegedly conducting an illegal marriage ceremony without parental consent, an official said on Monday.
Deputy Commander General of the board, Dr. Mujahideen Aminuddeen, said in a statement that the suspects were apprehended after organizing what authorities described as an unlawful union that failed to comply with Islamic and legal marital procedures.
“The marriage was contracted with a dowry of ₦10,000, which is below the minimum threshold recognised under Islamic legal standards,” Aminuddeen said.
He added that the Hisbah Board had launched an investigation into the matter and warned that such acts could undermine the sanctity of marriage in Islam.
Aminuddeen urged parents to be more vigilant about their children’s social activities and to provide guidance in marriage-related matters.
The arrest comes days after the Kano State government directed the Hisbah Board to commence preparations for a mass wedding involving about 2,000 couples under a state-sponsored programme.
Aminuddeen said all intending couples under the initiative must register and undergo compulsory medical screening to confirm their health status.