In a resolute display of commitment to upholding Islamic principles and safeguarding public morality, the Katsina State Hisbah Board orchestrated the destruction of over 120 cartons of seized alcoholic beverages in the town of Funtua on Thursday, November 13, 2025. This operation forms part of a broader, unrelenting campaign to eradicate practices that contravene Sharia law and contribute to what authorities term as escalating moral decay in northern Nigeria's Katsina State.
The exercise was spearheaded by D.C. Bashir Lawal Balarabe, the Commander of the Hisbah Board in the Dandume Local Government Area, who collaborated closely with a dedicated team of officials from the Funtua zonal command. Adding significant weight to the proceedings was the presence of the State Commander-General, C.G. Sheikh Malam Aminu Usman, widely known as Abu-Ammar and holding a PhD, who made a special visit to the site to personally supervise and endorse the enforcement action. His involvement underscored the high-level oversight and institutional priority placed on such initiatives.
Officials from the Hisbah Board explained that the confiscated alcohol—comprising various brands and quantities packed into more than 120 cartons—had been intercepted through meticulous routine patrols and intelligence-led operations. These efforts are designed to intercept the consumption, distribution, and trafficking of intoxicants, which are categorically prohibited under Islamic jurisprudence. The board's spokespersons emphasized that alcohol not only violates religious tenets but also fuels a range of societal ills, including crime, family breakdowns, health deterioration, and economic wastage. By targeting these supplies at their source, the Hisbah aims to disrupt the supply chain and deter potential violators.
The destruction itself was conducted publicly in Funtua, a bustling commercial hub in southern Katsina, to serve as both a deterrent and an educational spectacle. Cartons were systematically crushed and their contents poured out under the watchful eyes of enforcement officers, ensuring complete annihilation of the prohibited goods. This method aligns with previous Hisbah operations across northern states, where public demolitions reinforce community awareness and compliance.
Accompanying the physical act were poignant religious exhortations from a cadre of esteemed Islamic scholars who had been invited to the event. These clerics, drawn from various mosques and academic institutions in the region, delivered impassioned sermons warning of the spiritual and worldly perils of alcohol. They cited Quranic verses and Hadiths that explicitly forbid intoxicants, describing them as tools of Satan that cloud judgment, incite immorality, and lead to divine displeasure. One scholar elaborated on how alcohol erodes the moral foundation of society, contributing to youth delinquency, domestic violence, and a disregard for communal harmony—issues that Katsina, like many parts of northern Nigeria, grapples with amid broader socio-economic challenges.
In his post-event address, Commander-General Sheikh Abu-Ammar lauded the operation as a milestone in the Hisbah Board's revitalized mandate. He traced the organization's renewed vigor to its re-establishment under the administration of Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, who has prioritized moral and religious governance. "Since the governor breathed new life into the Hisbah, we have intensified our resolve to combat vices that threaten our Islamic identity and social cohesion," Sheikh Abu-Ammar stated. He praised Governor Radda's foresight in bolstering the board with resources, training, and legal backing, describing it as a timely intervention amid rising concerns over cultural erosion influenced by external factors such as urbanization, media, and cross-border trade.
The Commander-General further outlined the board's multifaceted strategy, which extends beyond alcohol to include monitoring of prostitution, gambling, indecent dressing, and other activities deemed un-Islamic. He revealed that similar seizures and destructions have occurred in other local government areas, with thousands of liters of alcohol eliminated over the past year alone. This crackdown, he asserted, is not merely punitive but rehabilitative, with efforts to counsel offenders and integrate them into productive, faith-based lifestyles.
The gathering drew a substantial turnout, including senior Hisbah officials from the entire Funtua zone, which encompasses several local governments. Prominent Islamic scholars from Daura, Katsina city, and surrounding areas also attended, lending their moral authority and reinforcing the event's religious legitimacy. Community leaders and residents observed the proceedings, with many expressing support for the Hisbah's role in preserving Katsina's predominantly Muslim ethos. Katsina State, home to over six million people and a stronghold of Islamic scholarship, has long implemented Sharia law in personal and moral matters since its adoption in 2000, making the Hisbah an integral arm of governance.
This latest action in Funtua builds on a series of enforcement drives that have gained momentum under Governor Radda's leadership. Since assuming office, Radda has championed initiatives to strengthen religious institutions, including funding for Hisbah operations and collaborations with traditional rulers and ulama (scholarly councils). Critics, however, occasionally question the scope of such interventions, arguing for balanced approaches that address root causes like poverty and unemployment, which can drive illicit trade. Nonetheless, proponents view the Hisbah's work as essential for maintaining order in a region prone to security challenges, including banditry and insurgency, where moral uprightness is seen as a bulwark against chaos.
Looking ahead, Sheikh Abu-Ammar pledged uninterrupted vigilance, vowing to expand patrols and partner with security agencies for more effective interdictions. He called on the public to report suspicious activities and embrace Islamic teachings as a pathway to prosperity. "Our communities thrive when we adhere to the path of righteousness," he concluded.
The destruction of these 120 cartons symbolizes more than the elimination of contraband; it represents Katsina's ongoing struggle to reconcile tradition with modernity while enforcing a vision of society rooted in faith. As similar events unfold across the state, the Hisbah Board continues to position itself as a guardian of morality, undeterred by logistical hurdles or external pressures. In an era of globalization, such actions highlight the enduring influence of Sharia in northern Nigeria, reminding observers of the delicate interplay between law, religion, and public policy.
