The Katsina state government has established a seven-member investigative committee to look into allegations of torture and human rights abuses by personnel of the Hisbah Board, with the aim of ensuring accountability and justice.
The Katsina state government’s move to investigate the Hisbah Board comes after a disturbing viral video surfaced, appearing to show personnel from the board subjecting individuals to torture.
In response to the outcry and numerous complaints received, Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Garba-Faskari announced that Acting Governor Faruk Lawal-Jobe has ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations.
A seven-member committee, chaired by Commissioner for Youths and Sports Aliyu Lawal, has been tasked with probing the claims and submitting recommendations to address the situation.
He said that committee members were drawn from the Ministries of Religious Affairs, Internal Security and Justice, the Department of Public Service Administration, and a coalition of civil society organisations, while the Director Security, SSG office would serve as secretary.
The committee was mandated to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the alleged torture of individuals by the Hisbah personnel.
“Investigate other allegations of victimisation and torture being perpetuated by the operatives; study the law establishing Hisbah board with a view to determining lapses (if any) leading to violations of human rights.
“To come up with recommendations that will address findings, identify Hisbah personnel who are involved in the act of victimisation and torture of people and recommend sanctions as appropriate,” he said.
The committee is expected to submit its report within 10 days.
Hisbah is an Arabic word meaning “accountability” and refers to an Islamic religious concept that calls for enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong for every Muslim.
Many states in the northern part of the country established the Hisbah board following the introduction of the Sharia in the early 2000.
The Hisbah corps, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Hisbah board, comprises government officials, religious leaders, and enforcement agents.
Its mode of operation is highly decentralised, with local units supervised by committees composed of officials and citizens in their respective communities.