The Yobe State Hisbah Commission has enacted a strict new directive aimed at regulating public conduct, specifically targeting interactions between men and women. The order explicitly prohibits physical contact and private conversations between persons of the opposite sex in commercial vehicles and at public gatherings.
Details of the New Hisbah Directive
The Commission formalized this policy in an official statement released on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The directive originates from the office of the State Commander of the Hisbah Commission, Dr. Muhammad Yawudi Kale, and has received the approval of the Chairman of the Yobe State Hisbah Commission, Dr. Yahuza Hamza Abubakar.
The statement clarified that the move is intended to curb activities deemed contradictory to Islamic teachings as outlined under Sharia law. The Commission warned the public that such behaviors are now formally forbidden and will be subject to enforcement.
Specific Activities Now Prohibited
The Hisbah Commission's statement outlined several key prohibitions that citizens must now observe:
- Reckless driving or vehicular movement during public celebrations like weddings or Sallah festivities.
- Any form of physical interaction between men and women while using public transportation, with specific mention of tricycles (Keke Napep), motorcycles, or at any public gathering.
- Private conversations between men and women, especially those conducted under pretexts that are not sanctioned by Sharia principles.
Appeal for Community Enforcement
Beyond issuing the directive, the Hisbah Commission made a direct appeal to parents and community leaders across Yobe State. It called for their active support in enforcing these new rules. The stated goal of this collective effort is to "preserve the moral upbringing of our children" and maintain societal values in line with religious teachings.
This directive underscores the ongoing role of the Hisbah corps in enforcing moral codes within states that operate under Sharia law in northern Nigeria. It signals a continued focus on regulating public social conduct to align with specific religious interpretations.
