Katsina Hisbah bans girls from hawking after 10pm

The Katsina State Hisbah Board has banned girls from hawking goods after 10pm, its Commandant General announced on Tuesday.

Sheikh Saifullahi Yakubu Musa gave the directive at a press briefing at the board's headquarters. He said the restriction covers motor parks, markets and other public places where hawking takes place, and that Hisbah officers will be deployed to strategic locations, including markets and motor parks, to enforce it.

He said the board acted on reports that some girls who hawk at night are exposed to abuse. "Reports indicate that some of these girls engage in illicit activities, while others are raped and some commit adultery. These practices are against the teachings of Islam, and we will not allow them to continue," he said. He also urged parents to take responsibility for their children's welfare and to stop letting girls hawk late at night.

The Commandant General announced other plans at the same briefing. The board intends to regulate traditional medicine dealers and warned against the use of vulgar and offensive language in advertising their products.

He also raised concern about the reported reopening of brothels in parts of the state, and directed operators to close their businesses or face legal action. The ban on selling alcoholic drinks, especially beer, remains in force, he said, and traders were warned against selling alcohol in public places.

Sheikh Saifullahi called on residents to support the board, saying its activities are meant to promote Islamic values and not to victimise members of the public. He added that the board would carry out its duties within the limits of its enabling law.

Punch noted that the directive comes amid wider concern about the risks faced by children who trade on the street. It cited research on child hawking in Nigeria that links the practice to pressure on household income and lists risks including harassment, robbery and disruption to children's schooling. It also reported that Governor Dikko Radda established the Katsina State Hisbah Board in 2023 as part of efforts to address social and moral concerns in the state. No date was given for when enforcement of the new restriction would begin.