Operatives of the Kebbi State Hisbah Board have arrested 25 young people in Argungu town following a raid on a hotel over allegations of immoral activities.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, July 3, 2026, is part of the board’s ongoing campaign against social vices in the state
According to the Director of Shariah of the Kebbi Hisbah Board, Sirajo Kamba, the raid targeted a hotel in Argungu where members of the board suspected that immoral acts were taking place.
In a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, Kamba said the operation led to the apprehension of 25 suspects — 12 males and 13 females.
“On July 3, the Kebbi Hisbah Board carried out a raid at a hotel in Argungu and successfully apprehended 25 suspects allegedly involved in immoral activities,” Kamba said.
He explained that the action was in line with the board’s mandate to promote moral values, preserve public decency, and maintain peace in communities across Kebbi State.
The Kebbi Hisbah Board operates under the state’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Its primary responsibilities include enforcing Shariah principles, preventing social vices, and educating the public on Islamic moral conduct.
In recent months, the board has intensified patrols and surveillance in hotels, beer parlours, and other public places where officials believe activities contrary to religious and cultural norms are likely to occur.
Kamba said the Argungu raid was not an isolated case, but part of a broader effort to curb behaviors the board considers harmful to the social fabric of the state.
“The operation is part of the board’s ongoing efforts to combat social vices, promote moral values, and maintain peace and decency across Kebbi,” he said.
The director said the 25 suspects are currently being investigated. The board will, he stated, follow due legal process in handling the case.
While the Hisbah Board does not operate a conventional court system, suspects arrested by Hisbah are typically handed over to the police or relevant judicial authorities for prosecution under state laws. In states that operate Shariah law, those found guilty of offenses under the Shariah penal code may face charges in Shariah courts.
The board has not released the names of those arrested, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the identities of suspects until charges are formally filed
News of the arrests has generated discussion in Argungu and across Kebbi, where religious enforcement agencies often attract both support and criticism.
Supporters argue that Hisbah plays a necessary role in upholding community standards, protecting young people from harmful influences, and preserving cultural and religious values. They point to concerns about rising cases of drug abuse, underage drinking, and other behaviors in public spaces.
Critics, however, often question the methods of such raids and call for greater clarity on legal procedures, evidence, and the rights of those arrested. Human rights groups in Nigeria have in the past urged religious enforcement agencies to operate within the confines of the law and to ensure that arrests are based on clear evidence rather than suspicion.
The Kebbi government has maintained that the Hisbah Board works to complement, not replace, the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary. Officials say the goal is prevention and moral guidance, with legal prosecution left to statutory
Argungu, located in Kebbi North, is known nationally for the annual Argungu Fishing Festival, one of Nigeria’s major cultural events. It is also a commercial town with hotels, markets, and social centers that draw visitors from within and outside the state.
Because of its profile, Argungu has often been a focus for the Hisbah Board’s enforcement activities. Board officials say they pay particular attention to hotels and guest houses during weekends and festive periods, when they believe the likelihood of social vices increases
The arrest of 25 youths adds to a wider national conversation about the role of Hisbah and similar agencies in northern Nigeria.
Proponents say such boards help fill a gap in community policing by addressing issues that religious and traditional leaders see as threats to social order. They argue that enforcement acts as a deterrent and encourages parents and community leaders to take more responsibility for youth behavior.
Opponents caution that enforcement must be balanced with civil liberties. They argue for transparency in how suspects are treated, access to legal representation, and clear distinctions between moral advocacy and law enforcement.
Legal experts note that while states have the right to legislate on certain moral and public order issues, any arrest and prosecution must still comply with the Nigerian Constitution and due process requirements
For now, the Kebbi Hisbah Board says its focus is on completing investigations and ensuring that the case is handled properly.
Kamba reiterated that the board’s objective is not punishment for its own sake, but the promotion of a society guided by ethical conduct. He called on parents, religious leaders, and hotel operators to cooperate with the board in identifying and preventing activities that violate the state’s moral codes.
He also urged young people to be mindful of their choices and the legal and social consequences that can follow.
“We are not against business or recreation,” he said. “But we are against anything that destroys the values we are trying to protect in our society.
The arrest of 12 males and 13 females in Argungu highlights the continued role of the Hisbah Board in policing public morality in Kebbi State. As the investigation proceeds, attention will likely turn to how the case is prosecuted and whether it leads to broader discussions about enforcement, rights, and community standards in the state.
For the board, the message is consistent: enforcement will continue. For residents, the incident is another reminder of the tension between personal freedom, religious values, and state regulation that continues to shape public life
