Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has strongly denied allegations that its operatives desecrated the historic Hubbaren Shehu during a recent enforcement operation in the state capital, describing the claims as false, misleading and aimed at discrediting the agency’s activities.
The Board said the allegations emerged in the wake of its ongoing “Operation Tsaftace Birnin Shehu,” a security and public order initiative designed to promote societal discipline, protect public spaces and address activities deemed contrary to established laws and community values.
Speaking to journalists in Sokoto, the Commandant General of the Board, Malam Usman Abdullahi Jatau, insisted that Hisbah personnel conducted themselves professionally and with full respect for the historical and spiritual significance of Hubbaren Shehu, one of the most revered heritage sites in the Sokoto Caliphate.
Jatau explained that the June 11 operation resulted in the arrest of 26 suspects from various locations across the metropolis, including Nakasari Area, Hubbare, Offa Road, Sokoto Main Motor Park and Giginya Hotel.
He clarified that contrary to reports circulating in some quarters, no act of desecration occurred at Hubbaren Shehu.
According to him, the only incident recorded at the site involved a group of youths allegedly playing football on ancient graves within the vicinity of the burial grounds.
The Commandant-General said the youths fled on sighting Hisbah operatives, adding that no arrests were made at the location.
“The only action taken by our personnel was the confiscation of the football being used on the graves to prevent further disrespect to the burial site and preserve the sanctity of the area,” Jatau stated.
He emphasized that safeguarding historical burial grounds and ensuring respect for the dead remain key responsibilities of the Board as part of its broader mandate to uphold public morality and community values.
Jatau further stressed that at no time did Hisbah operatives enter, damage or violate any section of Hubbaren Shehu, noting that the site occupies a central place in the religious, cultural and historical heritage of Sokoto and the wider Caliphate.
He called on residents to disregard what he described as unfounded rumours, assuring the public that the Board would continue to carry out its duties within the confines of the law while respecting the traditions and sensitivities of the people.
Meanwhile, the Board has intensified its enforcement activities under the ongoing operation with a late night raid conducted on June 14 at Maryam Abacha Hospital in the Old Market area of Sokoto metropolis.
According to officials, the operation followed intelligence reports alleging that some individuals had been impersonating medical personnel to gain unauthorized access to restricted sections of the hospital and engage in activities considered unlawful.
A spokesperson for the Board said the exercise formed part of wider efforts to strengthen public order, curb misconduct and protect public institutions from abuse by criminal elements.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar operations across Sokoto State, maintaining that its interventions are intended to complement existing security measures, preserve public decency and safeguard the moral and cultural values for which the state is known.
