On Tuesday, Faruk Umar, the acting governor of Katsina State, established a committee to look into a widely shared video on social media that purportedly showed some people being tortured by Hisbah personnel.
Residents of Katsina State have recently labeled the activities of the Katsina State Hisbah Board as anti-social and an infringement on people’s rights throughout the State.
PUNCH Online’s investigations showed that on May 5, 2024, in the city of Katsina, a joint operation by Hisbah and Community Watch Corps during a wedding ceremony descended into violence. Mallam Gambo Maipaci, a middle-aged vulcanizer, died tragically as a result of gunfire from security forces into the crowd.
Mohammed Musa, an eyewitness, told PUNCH Online that “the Hisbah alongside CWC alighted immediately, and without much ado, they started shooting while those with knives were also seen chasing the crowd.”
“A bullet went through Mallam Gambo, the vulcanizer, during the process,” he stated. They rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Not only that, Hisbah has been infringing on our rights ever since its establishment by Radda’s administration.”
Abdullahi Faskari, the Secretary to the Katsina State government, officially opened the committee on behalf of the acting governor by reading the terms of reference, which included “examining the truthfulness or falsity of the widely shared video on social media concerning the purported torture of individuals by Hisbah employees.”
“Other allegations of victimisation and torture being perpetrated by the personnel of Hisbah; study the Law establishing HISBAH Board with a view to determining lapses (if any) leading to violations of fundamental human rights; identify Hisbah personnel who are involved in the act of victimisation and torture of people; and recommend sanctions as appropriate.”
He declared that the committee would present a report within ten days of its founding.
The committee will be presided over by Aliyu Zakari, Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, with Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Religious Affairs, Justice, Internal Security, and Home Affairs among others.
