Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has intensified its campaign to curb immoral activities, arresting 17 individuals during a series of targeted raids across the state capital. The operation, which took place on Sunday, May 24, 2026, was part of the ongoing "Operation Tsaftace Birnin Shehu," a renewed effort by the Sharia enforcement agency to "sanitise" the state of activities deemed contrary to its Islamic and cultural values. This latest crackdown marks the second major operation within a week, following a raid on May 20 that led to the shutdown of a suspected brothel and the detention of 11 people. The sustained campaign signals an aggressive push by the board to enforce public morality laws.
The raids on May 24 were conducted simultaneously across multiple identified hotspots. In a statement released on the same day, the board confirmed the operation's success, noting that the suspects were apprehended in various locations across the metropolis for alleged involvement in immoral acts. The statement, however, did not disclose the specific identities of those arrested or the exact nature of the charges they would be facing.
Leading the operation was the Acting Commander of the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, Imam Sirajo Abubakar, who also serves as the Director of Da'awa. Imam Abubakar reiterated the board's resolve to rid the state of all forms of immorality, particularly those that corrupt the youth. “We are determined to rid Sokoto metropolis of all forms of prostitution and immoral acts that corrupt our youths,” he declared, issuing a stern warning that those involved in such activities would face prosecution. He assured the public that the enforcement operations would continue across the state. The board has also called on citizens to act as informants, urging them to report any suspicious or immoral activity in their communities to help the agency fulfill its mandate.
The Sunday arrests follow a similar, high-profile operation just four days earlier. On the evening of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Hisbah officials, acting on a tip-off from the public, raided a suspected brothel in the Cilma area of the Sokoto metropolis. That operation, also part of "Operation Tsaftace Birni Shehu," led to the arrest of 11 individuals, both men and women, and resulted in the immediate sealing of the building used as a brothel pending further investigation. Authorities confirmed that the 11 suspects would face charges under Sharia law. Imam Sirajo Abubakar, who also led that operation, emphasized the community's role, noting that the successful raid was a direct result of public cooperation.
While details of the specific activities from the May 24 raid remain scarce, the board's statement is clear on its objective: to enforce moral and legal standards. The statement confirmed the raids were conducted in five different areas of the metropolis: Minannata, Rijiyar Shehu, Majema, Sokoto Silame, and Mabera. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of those arrested, nor have they specified if formal charges have been filed. However, in line with previous enforcement actions, the arrested individuals are expected to be prosecuted under the state's Sharia penal code, which prohibits acts such as prostitution, consumption of alcohol, and public immorality.
The "Operation Tsaftace Birnin Shehu" campaign represents a significant escalation in the Hisbah Board's activities under the current administration. The board's role in the state is to promote Islamic values, enforce religious laws, and uphold public morality. While it does not have the power of arrest like the police, its operatives can detain suspects and gather evidence before handing them over to the Nigeria Police Force for further action and prosecution. The recent series of high-profile raids signals a more proactive and aggressive posture by the agency in enforcing these laws. The use of the Hausa word "Tsaftace," which means "to clean," underscores the board's mission to eliminate what it sees as moral filth from society.
The public reaction to the Hisbah's actions appears mixed but leans towards support, with some residents praising the board's efforts to curb what they perceive as growing vice. Others, however, have expressed concern about potential excesses and the infringement on civil liberties. The board has attempted to address these concerns by stating that its operations are based on intelligence and are targeted. It has also reminded the public that its goal is not to harass citizens but to protect them from activities that are harmful to society and against the teachings of Islam, which is the predominant religion in the state. The arrests of 17 people in a single day demonstrate both the perceived scale of the problem and the board's determination to act on it. As the agency continues its "Operation Tsaftace Birnin Shehu," more raids are likely in the coming weeks, as the Sokoto State Hisbah Board shows no signs of slowing its efforts to enforce public morality.
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