Police In Kano Warn Hisba Outfit On Sharia Implementation
FROM ADAMU ABUH, KANO
THE Police in Kano yesterday warned the Hisba committee not to over-step their bounds in the implementation of the Sharia legal code.
Under the Sharia legal code, Hisba committee, whose strength has been boosted with additional 150 new recruits, ensures compliance with the Sharia tenets of the law like the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol and prostitution.
The Guardian learnt that the chairman of the state Sharia committee, Sheik Umar Kabo, led several Moslem clerics to pay a courtesy visit to the Assistant Inspector General of police, (AIG) zone 1, Sir Keiren Dudari, where he expressed the readiness of the Hisba to ensure full compliance with the tenets of Sharia.
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau recently signed into law a bill passed by the state house of assembly banning the sale and consumption of alcohol, a development widely applauded by the highly influential clerics.
However, the sale and consumption of alcohol and other vices like prostitution key to sharia implementation, is still thriving in Sabon gari part of the metropolis mainly inhabited by non Moslems.
At the meeting, the police boss who oversees Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states acknowledged the right of the civil populace including Hisba to complement the efforts of the police.
He, however, urged the Moslem clerics to be cautious because of the cosmopolitan nature of Kano adding that they should embark upon an enlightenment campaign on the activities of the Hisba.
But Dudari, who was flanked by the Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa commissioners, pointed out that the conception of Hisba was unconstitutional, adding that the police would not "sit and watch the Sharia outfit arrogate the powers to maintain law and order to itself."
However, he admitted that Kano State had been empowered to establish any outfit so long as it would not trample on the rights of the citizenry.
He said: "Nigeria is a secular state. The state has the right to establish its own outfit, but it is not the duty of the police to do Hisba work, just as it is not the duty of Hisba to do the work of the police. You don't force a law down somebody's throat."
He warned that the police would "deal decisively" with anybody who breached the law.
The Kano police commissioner, Alh Ganiyu Dawodu noted "There is only one police Force in the country - the Nigeria Police Force. Any other group shall not act the role of the police, but individuals are allowed if they found somebody committing an offence and they have to hand over such person to the police immediately.
"We are not willing to abdicate our role as we are the people assigned the duty of policemen which requires ensuring peace, protection of life and properties within Kano state."
