SOKOTO HISBAH DENIES RESTRICTING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has dismissed reports claiming that it imposed restrictions on Christian worship and religious activities in the state.

The Commandant of the board, Dr Usman Abdullahi Jatau, described the allegations as false and misleading, warning that they could create unnecessary religious tension among residents.

The controversy followed claims circulating on social media that the Hisbah Board had prohibited mixed gatherings of men and women in churches and directed Christian worship services to be conducted separately for males and females.

Other claims suggested that pastors were not allowed to sit with their wives during church services.

However, Jatau said the allegations did not reflect the mandate or activities of the board. He explained that the law establishing the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, as enacted by the state House of Assembly, applies only to Muslims.

According to him, the board has no legal authority to regulate Christian worship or dictate how members of other faiths conduct their religious activities.

Jatau urged members of the public to disregard the claims and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing distrust between religious communities.

He also cautioned against linking the Hisbah Board to political narratives about an alleged plan to Islamise Nigeria, saying such claims were unrelated to its statutory responsibilities.