Katsina probes Hisbah over alleged torture, murder

The Acting Governor of Katsina State, Faruk Umar, on Tuesday, inaugurated a committee to investigate a viral video on social media showing the alleged torture of some individuals by the personnel of Hisbah.

Activities of Katsina State Hisbah Board were recently tagged by residents as anti-social and infringement of rights of people across the State.

Investigations by PUNCH Online revealed that on May 5, 2024, in the Katsina metropolis, a joint operation by Hisbah and Community Watch Corps at a wedding ceremony turned violent. The security forces fired shots into the crowd, resulting in the tragic death of Mallam Gambo Maipaci, a middle-aged vulcanizer.

An eyewitness, Mohammed Musa, made this unveiled that “immediately the Hisbah alongside CWC alighted, without much ado, they started shooting while those with knives too were seen chasing the crowd.

He said, “In the process, a bullet pierced through Mallam Gambo, the vulcaniser. 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.”

Inaugurating the committee on behalf of the acting Governor, Secretary to the Katsina State government, Abdullahi Faskari, read the terms of reference to include “investigate the veracity or otherwise of the viral video on the social media on alleged torture of individuals by personnel of Hisbah.

“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 said the committee will submit a report within 10 days from the date of inauguration of the Committee.

The Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Aliyu Zakari, will chair the committee, while others are Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Religious Affairs, Justice, Internal Security and Home Affairs, among others.