By Desire Emmanuel
A Shariah Law enforcement group, Hisbah, has closed down a hotel in Sokoto State after it accused its management of ‘allowing underage girls in its premises.’
Hisbah group operates in many areas of the Northern part of the country and they are responsible for enforcing Islamic laws and regulations, often focusing on issues like morality, dress code, and public behaviour.
On Wednesday, January 7, the Sokoto State Hisbah Board ordered the immediate closure of the Executive Hotel, located within the metropolis, accusing the management of ‘corrupting the girls who were found in the premises.”
Professor Abubakar Usman Ribah, the Deputy Commander General of Hisbah in the state, confirmed the development, saying the hotel was found to be violating an agreement earlier reached with hoteliers across the state.
“The hotel violated the board’s regulations by allowing underage girls to stay at the premises.
“This is the second time such an offence was committed at the Executive Hotel, in spite of previous warnings by the board and a promise by the hotel’s management to stop such incidents,” he told reporters in his office on Wednesday.
According to him, during a meeting Hisbah held with hotel managers across the state, they agreed that no hotel would allow underage children to stay in hotel premises.
“Due to the hotel’s failure to comply with the board’s regulations and meet the stipulated conditions, we have decided to close it down with immediate effect.
“We remain committed to enforcing reforms and instilling discipline that aligns with the religious and cultural values of the state under the rule of law to ensure lasting peace,” the Deputy Commander General said.
