The Chairman of Birniwa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Shehu Baba, has joined 2,600 Hisbah guards in a week-long training programme designed to strengthen their capacity to address social vices and promote peaceful coexistence.

The exercise, organised by the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, concluded on Friday with a passing-out ceremony at the Yakubu Gowon NYSC Orientation Camp in Fanisau, Dutse.

The participation of the local government chairman was one of the notable features of the exercise, as Shehu Baba opted to undergo the programme alongside the personnel rather than simply observe the training.

According to the council chairman, his decision was intended to demonstrate solidarity with the Hisbah guards while encouraging greater commitment to community service.

He described the personnel as important actors in efforts to promote responsible behaviour and preserve moral values within communities.

Baba also appealed to members of the public to support initiatives aimed at improving safety and social discipline, saying community participation remained essential to achieving meaningful grassroots development.

The chairman commended Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi for supporting the training and improving the welfare and operational capacity of Hisbah personnel across the state.

Government Backs Hisbah Capacity Building

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Governor Namadi, represented by his Deputy, Aminu Usman, praised the Birniwa council chairman for taking part in the programme.

The deputy governor said the state administration had elevated the Hisbah organisation to the status of a board and provided support intended to improve its ability to respond to social challenges.

He charged the 2,600 participants to translate the lessons acquired during the training into responsible service within their respective communities.

The participants were also urged to serve as ambassadors of peace and contribute to maintaining stability across the state.

Commander-General of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, Dr Fa’iz Bashir, said the programme covered areas including discipline, public enlightenment, law and crime-prevention skills.

Bashir explained that the objective was to produce better-prepared personnel capable of carrying out their responsibilities while engaging members of the public appropriately.

Following the completion of the exercise, the trained guards are expected to return to their various local government areas and undertake enlightenment and enforcement activities in accordance with the mandate of the Hisbah Board.

The programme also placed emphasis on community engagement, with participants expected to use their training to discourage harmful behaviour and promote peaceful relations.

For some of the guards, the exercise provided practical lessons on how to combine enforcement responsibilities with respectful engagement.

The completion of the training marks another step in Jigawa’s efforts to strengthen the institutional capacity of its Hisbah personnel, particularly at the grassroots level where the guards interact directly with residents.