The Kano State Government has issued an executive order proscribing a group operating under the name “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi,” citing unlawful recruitment and activities capable of disrupting public order.
The directive, signed by Governor Abba Yusuf and dated December 8, 2025, stated that authorities uncovered “ongoing recruitment, training and mobilisation of youths into the group without lawful authority and in violation of the Kano State Hisbah Board Law.”
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, stressed that the Kano State Hisbah Board is the only body legally empowered to oversee Hisbah-related responsibilities in the state.
“The Hisbah Board is the only legally recognised body authorised to carry out Hisbah functions in Kano State,” Waiya said. “The emergence of this parallel group amounts to creating an unauthorised enforcement structure that is capable of undermining public peace and the statutory mandate of the Board.”
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According to the executive order, the group’s operations are now declared unlawful.
“It shall not be lawful for any person or group of persons to recruit, assemble, mobilise, train or deploy any person for the purposes of operating a parallel Hisbah or similar enforcement outfit in the state,” the order read.
Governor Yusuf further described all activities of the group as “unlawful, illegal and void,” warning that impersonating the Hisbah Board through uniforms, symbols or claimed authority would attract penalties.
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The governor directed security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to probe the group’s promoters and immediately stop all recruitment and training efforts.
“Security agencies are to take all necessary lawful measures to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state,” the directive added.
The government also cautioned residents that involvement in, support for or affiliation with the proscribed group violates state laws.
Those already recruited were advised to withdraw immediately and report to the nearest security formation, Hisbah office or local government authority.
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The order outlined sanctions for offenders, including prosecution for unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities and the creation of unauthorised security outfits.
The executive order takes immediate effect and will be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer.