Katsina Hisbah: Bans Night Hawking Girls to Prevent Abuse

• The Katsina State Hisbah Board has banned girls from night hawking after 10 pm daily.
• Commandant General Saifullahi Musa announced the directive on November 11, 2026, citing protection from abuse and adherence to Islamic principles.
• The prohibition applies to markets, motor parks, and other public places across Katsina State.
• Hisbah personnel will be deployed for enforcement, and parents are urged to prevent late-night hawking.
• The board, established in 2023 by Governor Dikko Radda, also plans to regulate traditional medicine, address brothels, and enforce the alcohol ban.

Commandant Musa articulated that the primary objective of this prohibition is to safeguard girls from potential abuse and various social risks they face while hawking late at night.

The Katsina State Hisbah Board has issued a directive prohibiting girls from engaging in night hawking activities throughout the state, mandating that all such trading must cease by 10 pm each day. This new regulation was publicly announced by the board's Commandant General, Saifullahi Musa, during a press briefing held at the Hisbah headquarters on Tuesday, November 11, 2026. The measure specifically targets public spaces, including motor parks and markets, where these activities commonly occur.

Commandant Musa articulated that the primary objective of this prohibition is to safeguard girls from potential abuse and various social risks they face while hawking late at night. He emphasized that the directive also aims to ensure that public conduct aligns with established Islamic teachings and moral standards. The board has reportedly received numerous accounts detailing how girls involved in night trading are exposed to sexual abuse, illicit activities, and even instances of rape and adultery, all of which are considered contrary to Islamic principles.

These reports underscore the Hisbah Board's commitment to addressing what it perceives as significant social concerns. Musa explicitly stated that such practices, being against the tenets of Islam, would no longer be tolerated within the state. This move reflects a broader effort by the board to enforce a stricter interpretation of social conduct in line with its mandate.

The Katsina State Hisbah Board itself was established in 2023 by Governor Dikko Radda, with a clear mission to tackle social and moral issues prevalent in the state. Its operational framework includes promoting Islamic values and actively intervening in family and social matters to maintain public order and morality. This latest directive concerning night hawking for girls falls squarely within its established responsibilities.

To ensure strict adherence to the new 10 pm curfew for girl hawkers, Hisbah personnel are slated for deployment to key strategic locations across Katsina State, particularly in markets and motor parks. This proactive enforcement strategy is designed to monitor compliance effectively. Furthermore, the Commandant General issued a strong caution to parents, urging them to prevent their children, especially girls, from engaging in late-night street vending. He stressed the critical importance of parents assuming greater responsibility for the safety and overall welfare of their offspring.

The directive also implicitly acknowledges the broader societal issues surrounding child hawking in Nigeria. Research on this phenomenon frequently highlights its connection to household economic pressures, while simultaneously identifying significant risks for children involved, such as harassment, robbery, and detrimental impacts on their educational attainment. The Katsina Hisbah Board directive, therefore, also touches upon these underlying vulnerabilities.

Beyond the immediate ban on night hawking for girls, Commandant Musa also outlined the Hisbah Board's intentions to broaden its regulatory scope into other sectors. A significant upcoming initiative involves the regulation of traditional medicine dealers, with the aim of ensuring that their practices and products are consistent with Islamic values. A particular concern highlighted was the use of vulgar and offensive language by some practitioners in their advertising, which the board has declared it will no longer tolerate.

The board is also actively addressing reports of brothels reportedly reopening in various parts of the state. Operators of these establishments have been explicitly directed to cease their activities or face legal repercussions. Additionally, the existing prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages, specifically beer, remains firmly in effect across Katsina. Traders are being sternly warned against selling alcohol in public areas, reinforcing the state's commitment to its established alcohol ban.

Commandant Musa appealed to the residents of Katsina, particularly the Muslim community, to lend their full support to the Hisbah Board in fulfilling its duties. He reiterated that the agency's fundamental purpose is to foster compliance with Islamic principles and not to victimize any member of the public. He assured the populace that the board would consistently operate within the bounds of its enabling legislation while diligently enforcing its mandates throughout the state.

Lawyers advising clients with operations in Katsina State should inform them of the Katsina Hisbah Board's new directive prohibiting girls from night hawking after 10 pm. Businesses operating in markets and motor parks must ensure compliance to avoid potential interventions or sanctions from Hisbah personnel, as this reflects the board's expanding regulatory scope over social and commercial activities based on Islamic principles.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH