Sokoto Hisbah Denies Desecrating Hubbaren Shehu, Says It Stopped Youths From Playing on Graves
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has denied allegations that it desecrated Hubbaren Shehu during a security operation in the state capital on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Commandant General of the board, Malam Usman Abdullahi Jatau, said the claim is “false and malicious,” insisting that Hisbah personnel acted with respect for the site’s historical and spiritual significance.
The clarification comes after Hisbah carried out “Operation Tsaftace Birnin Shehu,” a raid that led to the arrest of 26 men and women across five locations: Nakasari Area, Hubbare, Offa Road, Sokoto Main Motor Park, and Giginya Hotel.
The board said the operation targeted acts contrary to law and public morality.
According to Jatau, the only incident involving Hubbaren Shehu occurred when Hisbah operatives met a group of youths playing football directly on centuries-old graves within the area.
“Upon sighting our team, the youths fled. We did not arrest anyone, but we seized the football to stop further desecration of the burial grounds,” Jatau stated.
He declared, “Protecting those graves is part of our duty to preserve public morality and respect for the dead.”
The cleric stressed that Hisbah personnel did not enter, damage, or violate Hubbaren Shehu itself, describing the site as sacred to the people of Sokoto.
“We urge the public to disregard these rumors. Hisbah will continue to carry out its mandate lawfully, respectfully, and firmly to maintain peace and good conduct across the state,” he said.
The board also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding morality while respecting the heritage and values of Sokoto people.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Hisbah Board has carried out a late-night raid at Maryam Abacha Hospital in the Old Market area of Sokoto city on Sunday, June 14, 2026, as part of its ongoing ‘Operation Tsaftace Birnin Shehu’, aimed at maintaining public order and morality.
According to officials, the operation was triggered by credible intelligence indicating that some individuals were impersonating medical staff to gain access to the hospital and engage in activities deemed contrary to law and social values.
“The objective of this raid is to ensure compliance with the law and to prevent anything that could threaten peace and good conduct within our society,” a Hisbah spokesperson said.
The Board stated that it will continue to conduct similar operations across Sokoto State to safeguard public dignity and keep the city clean.
The raid underscored the Hisbah’s expanded role in enforcing moral codes alongside conventional security agencies in Sokoto.
