Youths allegedly attack Hisbah office in Katsina over forceful haircuts

DDM News

Tension is running high in the Tandama community, Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria following a violent clash involving local youths and officials of the Hisbah Corps.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the incident occurred around 6:10 p.m. on June 13 and was triggered by the Hisbah Corps’ enforcement of religious haircut standards on young men in the area.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared the development on his verified X platform, the altercation began when Hisbah officials confronted a group of youths over hairstyles deemed inappropriate by Islamic standards.

The confrontation quickly escalated, leading to an attack on the Hisbah office by the angry youths who saw the action as harassment and an infringement on their personal freedom.

Witnesses say the youths attempted to storm the Hisbah office in protest, leading to a violent exchange that left several Hisbah officers injured.

Those wounded were rushed to Danja General Hospital where they are currently receiving medical treatment.

The Katsina State Police Command has since launched an investigation into the incident, with efforts underway to restore calm in the area.

So far, no arrests have been confirmed, but security forces are reportedly monitoring the community closely to prevent further unrest.

The Hisbah Corps, an Islamic religious police unit operating in several northern Nigerian states, is tasked with enforcing Sharia law, particularly moral codes related to dressing, behavior, and public conduct.

However, critics have long accused the Corps of overreach, arbitrary enforcement, and violations of civil liberties, especially in secular contexts or among non-Muslims.

The Katsina incident has once again sparked debate about the role of religious policing in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country like Nigeria.

Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage over the forced haircut policy, calling it an abuse of power and a threat to constitutional rights.

Others, however, support the Hisbah’s actions, arguing that Islamic standards must be upheld in predominantly Muslim regions.

Observers note that similar confrontations have occurred in Kano, Bauchi, and other states where the Hisbah operates, raising concerns over the corps’ methods and the potential for further clashes with civilians.

This latest event in Katsina underscores the growing tension between religious enforcement and youth expression in northern Nigeria.

Community leaders are reportedly urging restraint and calling for dialogue to prevent the crisis from escalating into broader unrest.

The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but calls for accountability and reform of the Hisbah Corps are gaining momentum.

DDM will continue to monitor the situation as investigations proceed and tensions unfold.

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