Kano Bans Ganduje’s ‘Private Hisbah’ With Executive Order

By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul

KANO – The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Friday issued a sweeping executive order banning the formation and operation of any unauthorised Hisbah-like groups in the state.

The order, titled “Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025,” was signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and publicly read by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a press briefing.

He said the executive order draws its authority from Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which vests executive powers in the state governor, including the responsibility to maintain public order and enforce state laws.

The Commissioner said the government expressed deep concern over the emergence of individuals and groups who have been “undertaking recruitment, mobilisation and organisation of persons into a body described as ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’, without lawful authority and in contravention of the Laws of Kano State.”

According to the order, Waiya added, such activities amount to the creation of “parallel, unauthorised enforcement structures within the State,” which the government deems “an unlawful act capable of disturbing the peace” and undermining the statutory functions of the Kano State Hisbah Board.

He maintained that the order unequivocally declares that “the formation of Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi is unlawful and it is prohibited from operating or carrying out any activity in the State.”

Reinforcing the exclusive mandate of the Kano State Hisbah Board, the government emphasised that it “shall remain the sole legally recognised institution in the State” for coordinating Hisbah-related functions. Any impersonation of the Board’s authority, uniforms, symbols, or activities is now officially prohibited.

He pointed out that the order further directs all relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the outlawed group, halt all related activities, and take lawful measures to prevent any breach of peace.

In a stern warning to the public, Commissioner Waiya explained that “participation in, support for, or affiliation with the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi constitutes violation of the laws of Kano State.” Individuals who have already been recruited or approached for recruitment are urged to “disengage immediately and report to the nearest Security Agencies Division, Hisbah Office or Local Government Authority.”

According to him, violators of the order face prosecution under applicable laws for offences including unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and the establishment of unauthorised enforcement groups. The term “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” is broadly defined to include “any group, unit, committee, movement or body organised for the purpose of performing Hisbah-like enforcement functions outside the statutory Hisbah Board.”

“The executive order takes immediate effect and is to be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the order on December 8, 2025,” marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to centralise religious enforcement under lawful authority and prevent the rise of parallel vigilante structures.