‘We Have No Authority Over Christians’ — Sokoto Hisbah Denies Worship Restrictions

The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has dismissed allegations that it introduced restrictions affecting Christian worship and religious practices in the state.

The board’s Commandant, Dr Usman Abdullahi Jatau, said the allegations were false and misleading and did not represent the agency’s mandate.

The clarification came after claims circulated on social media alleging that the Hisbah Board had begun interfering with Christian worship in Sokoto.

The claims included allegations that mixed gatherings of men and women were prohibited in churches and that Christian worship services had to be conducted separately for males and females.

It was also alleged that pastors were not allowed to sit with their wives during church services.

The claims were further linked to an alleged plan to Islamise Nigeria, beginning with Sokoto and extending to other parts of the country.

Jatau rejected the allegations, saying the law establishing the Sokoto State Hisbah Board applies only to Muslims.

He said the agency does not have the legal authority or mandate to regulate Christian worship or determine how members of other faiths conduct their religious activities.

The commandant said the board could not dictate how Christians conduct church services, organise gatherings, interact with their spouses during worship or practise their religion.

He described the attribution of such restrictions to the Hisbah Board as a distortion of facts that could create unnecessary religious tension.

Jatau also cautioned against dragging the Hisbah Board into partisan political narratives, particularly claims concerning an alleged plan to Islamise Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified information that could create distrust or hostility between different religious communities.

The commandant reaffirmed the board’s position that its statutory responsibilities do not extend to regulating Christian worship.