Kano Lawyers Warn Tinubu Over Private Hisbah Force

A group of Kano indigene lawyers has alerted President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to what they describe as a growing security threat linked to a private Hisbah-style outfit allegedly being raised by the Ganduje Foundation.

The forum said the move could destabilise Kano and deepen political tension in the state.

The warning followed reports that the foundation, linked to former Kano governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had started recruiting thousands of young people into a parallel religious police structure. The lawyers argued that such a group could disrupt the fragile peace between Muslims and Christians in the state and create confusion for the elected NNPP administration.

They said recent unrest in some parts of Kano suggested an attempt to stir insecurity for political advantage, insisting that the state needed firm security coordination from official agencies, not private groups acting under religious or political banners. According to them, creating a separate Hisbah group outside government control carries serious risks.

The forum appealed to the President to step in and stop the recruitment drive before the situation escalates. They warned that unchecked actions could push Kano toward the type of crises seen in Borno and Zamfara, noting that the consequences could spread across the region if not addressed quickly.

Reports indicate that the Ganduje Foundation plans to recruit about 12,000 members for what it calls the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillah. Supporters of the project say it is voluntary and meant to support religious activities, not politics. But the lawyers insisted that security responsibilities belong to the government alone and cannot be handled by private organisations.

They cited constitutional provisions that place the security and welfare of citizens solely in the hands of the state, urging federal authorities to halt any development that could lead to parallel enforcement structures. They added that if nothing is done soon, they may seek international attention to prevent a wider crisis.

The group urged all stakeholders to prioritise peace and ensure that Kano does not drift into deeper conflict.