Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Hisbah Board has arrested a group of youths in Zuru Local Government Area for allegedly wearing ihram garments and imitating Hajj rituals on the Day of Arafah, a sacred date in the Islamic calendar when millions of pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia to complete the most important rite of the annual pilgrimage. The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, May 31, 2026, by the Board’s Director of Sharia, Judge Surajo Usman Kamba, who said the youths were apprehended after reports emerged that they were performing mock pilgrimage ceremonies in a manner similar to the actual Hajj being observed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The arrests took place in Zuru town, the headquarters of Zuru Local Government Area, a predominantly Muslim community with deep ties to Islamic traditions and festivals.
According to the statement, the Hisbah Board acted on intelligence reports that the youths were not merely celebrating the Eid‑el‑Kabir season but were deliberately replicating the sacred rites of Hajj, including wearing the two‑piece white seamless garment known as ihram, which is a fundamental requirement for pilgrims entering the state of consecration. Officials from the Board said the youths were apprehended and questioned about their actions. During interrogation, they were informed that Hajj is a religious obligation prescribed by Allah, with specific rituals that must be performed only at designated locations in the holy city of Mecca and its environs, and only during the prescribed period of Dhul Hijjah. The Board noted that replicating those rites elsewhere, especially as a form of play or imitation, is not recognised in Islamic teachings and could lead to confusion among the public.
The Day of Arafah, which fell on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, is considered the holiest day in the Islamic calendar. It marks the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage, when pilgrims gather at the Plain of Arafat to stand in prayer and supplication from noon until sunset. Muslims who are not on pilgrimage are encouraged to fast on this day, as it is believed to expiate the sins of the previous year and the coming year. In Nigeria, the day is observed with heightened religious fervour, including special prayers and charity. However, the youths in Zuru chose to mark the day by dressing in ihram and going through the motions of the pilgrimage in their local environment, an act the Hisbah Board described as a violation of Islamic decorum.
After their initial arrest and interrogation, the Hisbah Board said the youths were educated on the religious significance and requirements of Hajj. Officials explained that the pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able. The Board warned that imitating the rites outside the designated sacred sites does not constitute a valid pilgrimage and could be seen as a trivialisation of an important act of worship. The youths, according to the statement, admitted their mistake, expressed remorse and pledged not to engage in similar conduct in the future. Following their undertaking to be of good behaviour, the youths were subsequently released by the authorities. No fines or further legal action were taken.
The Hisbah Board urged residents, particularly young people, to seek proper religious guidance from qualified scholars and to avoid actions that could misrepresent Islamic acts of worship. The Board also reminded the public that the celebration of Eid‑el‑Kabir is distinct from the rituals of Hajj, and that while both are significant, they should not be conflated. The statement noted that the Board would continue to monitor religious activities across the state to ensure compliance with Islamic teachings and to prevent any actions that could undermine the sanctity of the faith.
The arrest of the youths in Zuru is the latest in a series of enforcement actions by the Kebbi State Hisbah Board, which has become increasingly active in regulating public morality and religious practices. Earlier in May 2026, the Board arrested a young man and a young woman in the Filin Idi area of Birnin Kebbi over alleged immoral acts. In April 2026, the Board raided two hotels and arrested four adults for engaging in immoral activities. In another operation, the Board found a mentally unstable woman from Zuru who had been missing for three years and reunited her with her family. These operations have been part of the Board’s broader mandate to enforce Sharia law and promote Islamic values in the state.
While many residents have supported the Board’s efforts to maintain religious discipline, others have expressed concern that the enforcement of religious norms could be used to restrict personal freedoms. However, in the case of the Zuru youths, the Board’s decision to release the suspects after counselling and a promise of good behaviour suggests a preference for education over punishment. The Board’s approach reflects a recognition that young people may not always fully understand the religious significance of the rituals they imitate, and that guidance, rather than coercion, may be more effective in preventing future infractions.
As the Hajj season came to a close and Muslims in Nigeria celebrated Eid‑el‑Kabir, the incident in Zuru served as a reminder of the importance of religious education and the need for communities to ensure that acts of worship are performed in accordance with established Islamic principles. For the youths who were arrested, the experience was likely a sobering one, but it also offered an opportunity for learning and spiritual growth. The Hisbah Board, for its part, has made it clear that it will continue to monitor religious practices across the state, and that those who deliberately flout Islamic teachings will face consequences. For now, however, the youths of Zuru have been released, and the mock Hajj has come to an end.
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