Islamic Group Speaks on Establishment of Hisbah in Platea

The Plateau State chapter of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has dismissed reports that an Islamic organisation established a Hisbah Corps to enforce religious and moral rules in parts of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

Politics Nigeria reports the group described the claims as false and insisted that no Islamic organisation in the state had initiated plans to establish Hisbah or any similar enforcement body.

The clarification came amid growing public concern over claims that individuals operating under the name “HISBA” had allegedly been intimidating residents, harassing people, extorting money and imposing unauthorised restrictions in some communities.

Recall that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State had earlier ordered an immediate end to the activities of the group, describing its operations as illegal and unauthorised.

The governor also directed security agencies to identify and investigate those behind the activities and arrest anyone found to have committed criminal offences.

Mutfwang, through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, warned against the emergence of parallel authorities or self-appointed enforcement organisations in the state.

He maintained that the enforcement of laws remained the responsibility of constitutionally recognised authorities and that no individual or organisation had the right to assume powers not granted by law.

According to the governor, Plateau State operates under one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority.

He stressed that the government’s directive was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community but was aimed at ensuring that all residents operated within the law.

The governor further directed security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and protect residents from alleged intimidation, harassment, extortion and other forms of unlawful coercion.

Amid the controversy, the JNI secretary in Plateau, Dr Salim Musa Umar, said the organisation had investigated the claims and found no basis for reports that a Hisbah Corps was being established

In a statement released on Tuesday, Umar said the controversy appeared to have originated from social media, where images allegedly generated using artificial intelligence were circulated to create the impression that a Hisbah group had been inaugurated in Jos North.

“I want to assure the people that no Islamic organisation in Plateau has come out to say it wants to establish Hisbah. There is nothing like that. It has never been discussed, and it is not part of what is being considered,” Umar said.

He explained that the establishment of a Hisbah organisation would require legal backing from the Plateau State House of Assembly, stressing that no religious body could unilaterally create such an enforcement institution.

“Hisbah cannot be established without a law from the State House of Assembly, and the government has not done that. Therefore, people cannot simply come out and claim that they have established Hisbah,” he added.

The JNI official urged residents to disregard the reports and appealed to social media users to stop creating and circulating unverified content capable of inflaming tensions or undermining peaceful coexistence in Plateau State.

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, candidate in Oluyole State Constituency in Oyo State during the 2023 general elections, Mogaji Saheed Oyewale, the party’s chairmanship candidate in the 2024 local government election, Mr David Arowolo and other notable chieftains of the party have dumped the party.

DAILY POST reports that they have joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Other SDP chieftains who joined the APC are the party’s Chairman in Oluyole Local Government Area, Mr Ganiyu Lawal, Secretary, Adetunji Adewale, Women Leader, Mrs Taiwo Lasisi; Youth Leader, Muritala Jeje, and the Public Relations Officer, Afeez Agbongbon.

Others are all the local government and ward executive committee members from the 10 electoral wards in the local government area.

The former SDP chieftains announced their defection when they visited the APC state secretariat on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital.

They were received by the APC Chairman in the state, Chief Moses Adeyemo.

Oyewale, who led the former SDP chieftains, disclosed that their decision to join the APC was informed by their desire to be part of the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s dream for a better Nigeria.

He said, “We decided to join the APC because we appreciate the good work of President Tinubu and, as patriots, we cannot afford to stay away when we can be part of the success story.

“Virtually all the people who matter in the SDP will join the APC in a matter of weeks, and I can assure you that we will all work for our new party to win big in 2027.”