Officers of the Kebbi State Hisbah Board, an agency under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, have apprehended a married woman and five others in a hotel for alleged immoral conduct.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those arrested included three men and three women.
This comes amid persistent constitutional, ethical, human rights and enforcement concerns about morality policing, which is in place in many northern Nigerian states.
Director of Shariah at the board, Sirajo Kamba, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
According to Kamba, on May 14, the Kebbi Hisbah Board carried out a raid at a hotel located behind the Presidential Lodge, where three men and three women were found engaging in immoral acts.
The director said following reports from members of the public, Hisbah officials stormed the location and arrested the individuals involved.
Kamba noted that investigations are ongoing, and necessary action will be taken in accordance with the law and the board’s regulations.
He added that investigations revealed that one of the women was married.
The director advised that this underscores the need for stronger moral upbringing and fear of God in the society, urging parents to closely monitor their children’s movements and activities to prevent them from engaging in behaviours that undermine societal values and dignity.
However, Critics have deplored morality policing for being out of step with modern-day democracy.
