Youths clash with Hisbah over attempt to seize alcoholic drinks in Kano

Violence clash erupted late Tuesday evening between youths of the Sabon Gari area of Kano State and officials of Hisbah, the state Islamic police when the latter raided a shop selling alcoholic drinks in the area.

It was gathered Hisbah officials had stormed Ballat Hughes by Court road in the area to confiscate alcoholic drinks at a drinking joint operated by a woman but met with stiff resistance from youths in the area, a situation that generated a violent clash.

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Sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks in Kano State is prohibited under the state’s Sharia Law but the Sabon Gari area, where residents are majorly those from the southern part of the country, has always been an exemption to the implementation of the law.

The development was said to have been a surprise departure from the normal operation of the Islamic police as it relates to jurisdiction.

The irate youths were said to have attacked the Hisbah officials and set bonfires and barricades across the road.

Residents of the area said the situation led to a stampede as hoodlums took advantage of the unrest to loot shops and rob passers-by.

The police were later deployed and normalcy was restored.

The spokesman of the police in the state, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, told Daily Trust that the Commissioner of Police, Samaila Dikko had ordered a full investigation into the situation, noting that two suspects have already been arrested.

He said the police boss had in the past had a meeting with the Hisbah top management following a petition received from hoteliers in the state regarding the operations of the Islamic police.

Kiyawa said the CP will continue to engage with the Hisbah to ensure that the relative peace being enjoyed in the state is not threatened.

He advised residents of Sabon Gari and other parts of the city to go about their lawful activities as normalcy has been restored.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Hisbah Board, Lawan Ibrahim Fagge, refused to comment on the incident but said a press conference would be called later in the day.