The Kano State Government in North West Nigeria has issued an Executive Order prohibiting the establishment and operation of any parallel Sharia Police known as Hisbah organisation in the state, declaring the so-called “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” illegal.
Hisbah is an Islamic concept and institution for enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong essentially promoting public morality and accountability, often functioning as a religious/community police in some Muslim-majority areas.
In Kano state, Hisbah was established to carry out such functions. And of recent some certain individuals have planned to recruit a parallel organisation.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the order citing constitutional powers vested in him under Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution and provisions of the Kano State Hisbah Board Law, which Recognizes only the Hisbah Board as the sole authority for Hisbah-related activities in the state.
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Ibrahim Waiya read the executive Order on behalf of Governor Yusuf.
According to the Executive Order titled Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025, the government expressed concern over reports that certain individuals and groups were recruiting and mobilising people into an unauthorised Hisbah outfit operating outside the law.
The governor described the move as an unlawful act capable of disturbing public peace and undermining the statutory responsibilities of the Kano State Hisbah Board.
The order explicitly bans any person or group from recruiting, assembling, training or deploying individuals to operate a parallel Hisbah body. It also forbids the establishment or promotion of any organisation under the name “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” or any similar title.
Governor Yusuf reaffirmed that Kano State Hisbah Board remains the only legally recognised Hisbah institution in the state, warning that impersonation of its authority, uniform, symbols or activities is strictly prohibited.
The Executive Order urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the illegal group, halt all its activities, and take necessary measures to prevent any breach of peace.
Governor Yusuf also urged members of the public to desist from participating in or supporting the banned group which he said constitutes a violation of state laws.
Individuals already recruited into the outfit were advised to withdraw immediately and report to the nearest security formation, Hisbah office or local government authority.
The order further outlines penalties for violators, including prosecution for unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and establishment of an unauthorised enforcement group.
Governor Yusuf said, the Executive Order takes immediate effect and is to be gazetted by the state government.