By Vera Chinonso Aliyu, YeyeNews.com, December 19, 2021
The Hisbah corps has rejected proposals to change it into an outfit for fighting against banditry in the northwest. In response to the activities of the rampaging bandits across the states of the northwest, Yeyenews.com gathered that some governors of the region called for the conversion of Hisbah into an outfit for fighting banditry. According to the spokesperson of the Northern Nigeria Governors Forum, “The governors of the region agreed to adopt the Hisbah police to protect the northwest against banditry”. He continued that “they have asked the federal government to grant permission for us to provide locally fabricated guns for the Hisbah so that they can carry out their new mandate effectively”.
But in a swift response, a commander of the Hisbah police who pleaded anonymity pointed out to YeyeNews.com that the mandate of the corps is only to “destroy alcoholic drinks, enforce ban on mannequins and ensure the poor maintain high moral standards. Any other function being proposed by anybody is not within our core mandate”. The commander then called on the governors to rather provide adequate funds for them to effectively carry out their core duties.
“Rather than give us guns they should adequately fund the Hisbah to enable us cleanse the region of drugs, alcohol and all other vices. Those are the things that give the bandits the courage to carry out their nefarious activities. Once we can eradicate these substances from the region banditry will die a natural death. But for now let the army and regular police fight the bandits while we focus on ensuring that the poor maintain their morals at all times”.
Some residents of the region have commended the decision of the governors. They called on Hisbah not to chirk out of this important duty. “Let the members of Hisbah apply the energy they are using in destroying alcoholic drinks to go after the bandits terrorizing everyone. They should not be cowards”, a resident of Sokoto State said.
