Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kano State, Nigeria — The Kano State Hisbah Board has announced it will begin enforcing a ban on female passengers sitting beside tricycle drivers across the state’s commercial transport sector, a move officials say is intended to uphold Islamic moral standards and align public transport practices with religious teachings. The decision, confirmed in a statement issued by the board on Friday, has stirred public debate about personal freedoms, societal norms and the role of religious policing in a secular democratic state.
Hisbah is a religious enforcement agency operating in parts of northern Nigeria, including Kano State, with a mandate to ensure compliance with Sharia law and Islamic ethical codes among residents. Its activities have historically included a range of moral regulations targeting behaviours perceived to contravene Islamic principles, from censorship and dress codes to prohibitions on alcohol and public misconduct. Critics have long raised concerns about the board’s broad powers and the impact on individual rights, particularly where enforcement intersects with everyday life.
In the latest directive, the board said it will focus specifically on the practice of female passengers sitting beside commercial tricycle drivers — colloquially known as “adanidaita” or “keke” — when the woman is not a close male relative (Maharam). Auwalu Sheshe, the board’s Director of Public Enlightenment, explained that the enforcement effort is part of a broader initiative to “sanitize the transport business and prevent actions that may incur the curse of Allah.” He described the practice as inconsistent with ongoing efforts to uphold moral standards in society.
Sheshe said the enforcement campaign will be carried out in collaboration with tricycle rider and owner associations, which Hisbah officials have engaged in preparatory discussions. The board indicated that sanctions will apply to drivers who do not comply with the directive, though it did not immediately specify the range or severity of penalties that will be imposed.
The statement also included an appeal to female passengers to observe the new measure, urging them to consider their “dignity and that of their families.” This language reflects the board’s framing of the policy within a moral discourse that prioritises religious prescriptions about gender relations and public conduct.
The Kano announcement comes amid ongoing debates in Nigeria about the scope and authority of religious police forces such as Hisbah. Supporters argue that these bodies play a role in reinforcing community values and deterring behaviours that are considered socially disruptive or morally unacceptable. However, human rights advocates contend that enforceable codes based on religious doctrine risk infringing on constitutional freedoms, particularly in a religiously diverse society where secular law also holds sway.
Historical context shows that Hisbah’s activities in Kano have often been contentious. Past enforcement actions have included raids against alleged same‑sex marriage events, arrests for public violations of fasting rules during Ramadan, and other initiatives aimed at curbing what the board describes as immoral behaviour. These actions have at times provoked public criticism, especially when they intersect with individual rights and freedoms.
Legal experts note that while the Kano State Hisbah Board operates under state laws that permit enforcement of Sharia principles, its jurisdiction is legally confined to Muslim residents and cannot extend to non‑Muslims. Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and expression, and there is ongoing debate about how religiously based regulations coexist with secular law in multi‑ethnic and multi‑faith contexts.
Public reaction to the tricycle seating ban has been mixed. Some residents and community leaders have welcomed the directive as a measure that reinforces cultural norms and decorum in public spaces. Others, particularly among civil liberties advocates and urban commuters, have criticised it as intrusive and potentially discriminatory, arguing that transport decisions should be left to individual choice rather than enforced through moral policing.
Transport operators have expressed cautious support for collaborating with enforcement officials but have also emphasised the logistical and economic implications of the ban. Commercial tricycles are a vital mode of transport in Kano’s urban and peri‑urban areas, providing affordable mobility for thousands of commuters daily. Operators and riders will now need to adapt to the new rule, which may affect passenger capacity and revenue.
Some observers point out that issues of segregation and seating arrangements in public transport are not new in Kano. Previous practices and informal norms have, in some cases, discouraged mixed seating in taxis and motorcycles long before the latest directive, though enforcement has been inconsistent. Enforcement of similar rules in other regions has had varied outcomes, with compliance often shaped by local attitudes, economic realities and law enforcement priorities.
Critics argue that mandating specific seating arrangements under threat of sanction could lead to unintended consequences, including exclusion of women from accessible transport options or increased costs if alternative travel arrangements are required. There are also concerns about potential abuses or profiling in enforcement practices, particularly in areas where official oversight of Hisbah activities is limited or ambiguous.
In response to the announcement, local civil society groups have called for clarity on the legal basis of the ban, the limits of Hisbah authority, and avenues for public feedback. They have also urged that any enforcement policy respect constitutional protections and ensure that women’s rights and access to public services are not unduly compromised.
State government officials have not yet issued a detailed response to public reactions, but the collaboration with transport unions highlighted in the Hisbah statement suggests that authorities are seeking to balance moral objectives with operational realities. The coming weeks will likely reveal how the policy is implemented on the ground and whether adjustments are made in response to public concern and practical challenges.
The enforcement of the seating ban by the Kano State Hisbah Board marks a continuation of efforts to regulate social behaviour through religious norms in northern Nigeria. How this initiative will shape gender relations, public transport usage and community sentiment remains an evolving aspect of governance and cultural expression in the region.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments