(Hisbah Board. Photo Credit: BBC)
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has shut down a property suspected of operating as a brothel and taken eleven people, both male and female, into custody within the Sokoto metropolis.
The raid was conducted on Wednesday evening in the Sokoto Cilma area of the state capital, as part of a special enforcement exercise known as “Operation Tsaftace Birni Shehu,” which targets activities deemed immoral or contrary to religious and public order laws in the state.
According to the Hisbah Board, the operation was prompted by tip-offs from members of the public who reported suspicious activity at the premises.
The raid was personally led by the Acting Commander of the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, Imam Sirajo Abubakar, who also holds the position of Director of Da’awah and Aids.
All suspects were apprehended at the scene, and the building was immediately sealed off to allow for further investigation.
Addressing the public on the operation, Abubakar reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ridding the state of behaviour it considers harmful to society, particularly activities that could negatively influence young people.
He made clear that those found to be involved in such conduct would face prosecution and warned that enforcement operations of this nature would continue across the state.
He further cautioned the public to expect more crackdowns, stressing that the board would not allow what it described as indecency to take hold within local communities.
