Operatives of the Kebbi State Hisbah Board have reportedly arrested a man who was allegedly found hiding inside a “Ghana Must-Go” bag at the residence of a married woman in the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi.
The Director of Sharia at the board, Sirajo Kamba, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday, explaining that the arrest followed complaints from residents who allegedly observed the man entering the woman’s house late at night under suspicious circumstances.
According to Kamba, the Hisbah Board received the report at about 12:15 a.m. on Monday, May 18, after concerned residents raised alarm over the man’s presence in the house.
He stated that the residents suspected the visit suggested an improper relationship between the man and the married woman, which they believed was contrary to Islamic teachings.
“The residents suspected an illicit affair contrary to Islamic teachings, hence their decision to formally notify the authority,” Kamba said.
Following the report, officers of the Hisbah Board were reportedly deployed to the residence to investigate the matter.
Kamba explained that when the officers arrived at the house and requested permission to conduct a search, the woman initially denied that anyone else was inside the residence.
However, she later allegedly allowed the officers to search the premises.
During the operation, the officers reportedly discovered the man concealed inside a large “Ghana Must-Go” bag within the house.
The Hisbah official further stated that preliminary investigations allegedly revealed that the man and the married woman were involved in a romantic relationship.
According to him, both suspects were interrogated after the discovery and allegedly admitted to the accusations during questioning.
Kamba disclosed that the suspects would be arraigned before a court to face legal proceedings under Islamic law, although the board did not immediately reveal their identities or provide details regarding the date of their arraignment.
The incident has since sparked reactions among residents of the area, many of whom reportedly described the discovery as shocking.
The Kebbi case comes only days after another operation by the Kano State Hisbah Board led to the arrest of two women and a 35-year-old fish seller over allegations of immoral conduct in Kano State.
The Director of Public Enlightenment of the Kano Hisbah Board, Auwalu Sheshe, had confirmed that operatives allegedly found the fish seller, identified as Ali Abubakar, alongside a woman identified as Fatima Abubakar from the Niger Republic inside a room where they were allegedly preparing to engage in immoral acts.
The recent incidents have once again drawn attention to the activities of Hisbah boards in some northern states, where the bodies are tasked with enforcing aspects of Sharia law and public morality.
