The Hisbah unit of the Niger State Shari'ah Commission has inaugurated the uniform members of the Minna Emirate Hisbah unit.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Rufa'i Hashim, who stood in for the Grand Khadi of the state, Musa Muhammad Kigera, during the inauguration ceremony at Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, said the Hisbah unit had been in existence since the regime of Late Engr. Abdulkadir Ƙure but was neglected by the successive administrations.
He disclosed that there were Hisbah units across all eight Emirates councils in the state that were taken care of by the Emirate councils, adding that the event was to revive the unit to be visible and more effective.
The executive secretary of the commission observed that the moral decadence amongst the youths in the state was getting out of hand, stressing the need to strengthen the unit to function effectively and assist in correcting the menace in our society.
He further disclosed that the law establishing the commission and the Hisbah unit was still in existence, saying that with the support of the state government and other relevant stakeholders, the unit will measure up to its counterparts in Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states.
He added that the Hisbah was currently operating in five local government areas of the Emirate to sanitise our communities, namely Chanchaga, Bosso, Paikoro, Munya, and Shiroro, saying it is the hope of the commission to see the Hisbah unit stand on its feet and measure up with those in other states.
The state Hisbah Commander General, Aliyu Usman Sarki, disclosed that the Hisbah unit had done well during the time of the late Engr. Abdulkadir Ƙure, where they recorded a lot of achievements.
He said the unit serves as police to the state liquor board and also preaches during the collection of Zakkat, adding that the unit also ensures that the measuring materials in our markets are accurate.
The Commander General added that the state Shari'ah commission has only two units, the Hisbah and the Da'awa units, disclosing that their officers were well trained by the law enforcement agents in the state to carry out their functions.
He maintained that the Hisbah is neither the police force nor any of the security agencies, but a unit under the Shari'ah commission that collaborates with the law enforcement agencies to sanitise and bring peace to our communities.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Cikasoron Minna, Alhaji Yahaya Babangida, and Amb. Jibrin Abdullahi observed that moral decadence was on the rise in the state, particularly in the Minna Emirate, and urged members of the Hisbah organisation to work without fear or favour.
Highlights of the occasion were the decorations of the advisory board members of the organisation and some of the officials.