By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times
The Commander-General of the Hisbah Board in Katsina State, Sheikh Dr. Aminu Usman (popularly known as Abu Ammar), has expressed his displeasure over a recent misunderstanding that occurred between Hisbah officers and a woman identified as Asma’u Abba Shaibu.
Dr. Abu Ammar, in a media interaction that included a correspondent from Katsina Times, stated:
“I am not happy with what was done to her, and I do not support it. If I were present at the time, such a thing would not have happened,” he said.
However, the Commander-General also expressed concern about how the incident has been portrayed in the media.
“We must understand that the story being circulated isn’t entirely accurate. Most journalists do not portray us fairly — they often exaggerate matters unnecessarily,” he said.
According to Abu Ammar, the woman in question, Asma’u, had visited the Hisbah office to inquire about her siblings who were arrested.
“But she came dressed inappropriately — in a manner unbefitting of a woman from a decent home. Our officers told her she could not enter the office dressed like that and advised her to wear a hijab to cover herself properly,” he explained.
He continued:
“That was when she felt she was being treated unfairly. She came with a confrontational attitude and started verbally abusing our officers. She even went as far as slapping one of them. Tell me, if someone walks into your house and slaps you, even when you’re in the right, how would you react?”
Abu Ammar added that this confrontation triggered a reaction from the officers.
“For the record, she left the premises walking on her feet — her leg was not broken as she claimed. She later went to the hospital, and her test results were scheduled to be released on Tuesday. Yet, she told journalists that her ear was severely injured and that she would need surgery as a result of the alleged assault. These are clearly false accusations,” he said.
“Yes, our officers sometimes make mistakes, and we are working hard to correct them. But journalists go too far in attacking us. Why is it that when we are assaulted, injured, or stoned in the line of duty, no one reports it? Why do they only focus on our mistakes?”
Sheikh Abu Ammar also elaborated on the core mission of the Hisbah Board and its service to the people of Katsina State.
“Our mission is to promote moral discipline and assist the community. We do not operate under any law except the law of Allah. Whatever we stand against is already prohibited by Allah, not by us. We are merely tools in the enforcement of divine law — laws that have existed for over a thousand years. Everything we do is by the command of Allah.”
He cited verse 34 from Surat an-Nisa' to support his position, stating:
“This is why, when necessary, we apply physical correction — not arbitrarily, but because Allah commands it.”
In conclusion, Sheikh Abu Ammar called on the people of Katsina State to support the Hisbah Board, stressing that moral discipline concerns everyone.
“No one wants their child to become corrupt. Hisbah comprises people from all Islamic sects — including Izala, Darika, Shi’a, and Qur’aniyyun. We urge everyone to unite for the betterment of Katsina State.”
It will be recalled that reports recently surfaced alleging that officers of the Katsina Hisbah Board had assaulted a woman named Asma’u Abba, causing her ear injury and possible bone fracture. The incident attracted attention from human rights organisations and advocates who are demanding justice for Asma’u and a thorough investigation into the allegations of abuse by the Katsina Hisbah officers.
