The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has denied reports alleging that it imposed restrictions on Christian worship and religious practices in the state.
The denial followed claims circulating on social media that the Islamic enforcement agency had introduced rules regulating how Christians worship and organise religious gatherings.
The Commandant of the board, Dr Usman Abdullahi Jatau, described the allegations as false and misleading, warning that they could create religious tension in the state.
Jatau, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the claims did not reflect the mandate or activities of the Hisbah Board.
He said the controversy was triggered by allegations made by a blogger identified as @radical.okoja.bia and others, who accused the board of interfering with Christian worship.
Among the claims was that churches had been prohibited from holding mixed gatherings of men and women, with Christian worship services allegedly required to be conducted separately for males and females.
It was also alleged that pastors were not allowed to sit with their wives during church services.
“The law establishing the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, as enacted by the Sokoto State House of Assembly, applies only to Muslims,” Jatau said.
He added that the board could not determine how Christians organised their worship services, conducted mixed gatherings or interacted with their spouses during religious activities.
Jatau said attributing such restrictions to the Hisbah Board amounted to a distortion of facts that could undermine peaceful relations among religious communities in the state.
“Our response is not intended to please or offend anybody, but to correct factual inaccuracies, challenge unsupported assertions, and distinguish facts from malicious and fictitious misinterpretations,” he said.
The commandant also warned against associating the board with political narratives, particularly claims of a coordinated plan to Islamise Nigeria.
He said such allegations had no connection with the statutory responsibilities of the Hisbah Board.
“The blogger should continue his campaign for whichever party he is working for, but should not link the Sokoto State Hisbah Board with his assertions on the political fortune or misfortune of the country,” Jatau said.
The board urged residents and other Nigerians to disregard the allegations and refrain from sharing unverified information capable of creating distrust and hostility among religious groups.
It also appealed for peace, unity and mutual respect among the various faith communities in the state.