The Katsina State Hisbah Board has dismissed allegations that its operatives assaulted a young woman, Hauwa’u Lawal, during a recent operation in the state capital, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.
In a viral video, Lawal accused Hisbah officers of physically assaulting her when she visited her detained brother at the board’s facility, claiming the incident resulted in a leg fracture and hearing complications.
However, addressing a press conference on Sunday, the Deputy Commander General of Operations, Malam Mohammad Shu’aibu, refuted the allegations, stating that Lawal’s claims were baseless and without evidence.
“No such assault occurred. The lady was prevented from entering the premises due to the nature of her immoral dressing. She became aggressive and attempted to slap one of our personnel.”;
He further explained that Lawal’s brother was arrested during an operation at an event center in Katsina city for allegedly impersonating a soldier and obstructing Hisbah operatives.
“He presented an expired ID card with ‘Ex-boy’ written on it and falsely claimed to be a military personnel. That alone is a criminal offence,”; Shu’aibu said.
Reacting to Lawal’s claims of sustaining serious injuries, Shu’aibu said the board requested an X-ray report or medical proof from her family to verify the alleged fracture, but none had been submitted.
“We are yet to see any medical evidence to back her claims. If she truly sustained a fracture, the family should have provided a medical report or X-ray by now,”; he added.
Shu’aibu emphasized that the Hisbah Board is committed to enforcing morality in the state and its personnel are trained to operate with civility and professionalism.
“Our mandate is clear; we are to fight immorality in society, and we train our operatives to be disciplined and respectful in all engagements,”; he noted.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Katsina State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Yar’Adua, confirmed that the ministry is investigating the incident.
“We are taking this matter seriously. The ministry has launched an investigation and once complete, our findings will be forwarded to the relevant authorities for appropriate action,”; she said.
Recall that the young woman, Hauwa’u Lawal alleged that she was brutally assaulted and abused by operatives of the Katsina State Hisbah Board following an altercation with the officer-in-charge of operations, identified as Nafiu, at their Command’s headquarters.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 15, shortly after Hauwa closed her cold drinks stall at the Scorpion Arena Funfair in Katsina town.
She claimed that she suffered a broken leg and a ruptured eardrum from the assault by the Hisbah operatives.
