The Katsina State Hisbah Board has banned girls from engaging in night hawking, ordering that all such activities must end by 10pm every day across the state.
The board’s Commandant General, Saifullahi Musa, announced the directive on Tuesday during a press briefing at its headquarters.
The move follows growing concerns over the dangers children face while engaging in street trading.
Research into child hawking in Nigeria has linked the practice to economic difficulties faced by households, while highlighting risks such as harassment, robbery and interruptions to children’s education.
The Katsina State Hisbah Board was established by Governor Dikko Radda in 2023 as part of efforts to address social and moral concerns in the state.
Its activities include promoting Islamic values and intervening in social and family-related matters.
Musa said the measure was intended to protect girls from abuse and other social risks while ensuring that public activities complied with Islamic teachings.
According to him, the restriction covers motor parks, markets and other public places where hawking takes place across the state.
Musa said the board had received reports of girls involved in night trading being exposed to sexual abuse and other activities considered contrary to Islamic principles.
“Reports indicate that some of these girls engage in illicit activities, while others are raped and some commit adultery. These practices are against the teachings of Islam, and we will not allow them to continue,” he stated.
He disclosed that Hisbah personnel would be deployed to strategic locations, including markets and motor parks, to ensure compliance with the directive.
The commandant also cautioned parents against allowing their children, particularly girls, to hawk late at night, urging them to take greater responsibility for their safety and welfare.