Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has ordered the immediate shutdown of the Executive Hotel, located in Sokoto metropolis, following allegations that the establishment was repeatedly allowing underage girls to stay on its premises in violation of agreed moral and regulatory standards. The decision was confirmed by Prof. Abubakar Usman Ribah, the Deputy Commander General of the Hisbah Board in Sokoto, who spoke to reporters in the state capital on Wednesday.
According to Prof. Ribah, the hotel breached an earlier agreement reached between the Hisbah Board and hotel operators across the state, under which all hotels committed not to accommodate minors without valid identification and consent from guardians. He emphasised that the Executive Hotel had been warned previously after the first offence but failed to implement corrective actions, leading to renewed violations.
“The hotel violated the board’s regulations by allowing underage girls to stay at the premises,” Prof. Ribah stated, stressing that the closure was necessary given the hotel’s failure to comply with hospitality standards and the conditions agreed upon by peers in the sector.
This marks the second reported offence by the same establishment after earlier warnings and admonitions, prompting the Hisbah Board to take decisive enforcement action. Prof. Ribah noted that during a collaborative meeting with hotel proprietors from across Sokoto State, all managers had pledged not to provide accommodation to children or underage individuals without strict verification processes. The Executive Hotel’s continued non‑compliance, he said, left the board with no choice but to enforce closure.
While the Hisbah Board’s mandate includes oversight of public morality and conduct in accordance with religious and cultural values enforced under the state’s legal framework, the directive was framed as part of efforts to protect vulnerable groups and preserve social order in the community. Prof. Ribah reiterated the board’s commitment to rule of law and community standards, asserting that enforcement actions such as this are designed to ensure lasting peace and societal discipline.
The closure decision has drawn attention in Sokoto, where debates persist around enforcement practices and the scope of morality regulations in public spaces. However, state authorities — including the Hisbah Board — maintain that safeguarding the welfare of minors and enforcing hospitality industry standards remain fundamental priorities.
Efforts to obtain immediate reaction from the management of the Executive Hotel had not been successful as of the time of reporting. Meanwhile, stakeholders in the hospitality sector are expected to convene further with regulatory bodies to clarify compliance mechanisms and prevent future infractions.
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