December 15, 2025 — Dalena Reporters
The Katsina State Hisbah Board has destroyed a large consignment of seized alcoholic drinks as part of its ongoing enforcement of Sharia‑based laws prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state.
According to reports by Linda Ikeji’s Blog, the destruction exercise was carried out publicly under the supervision of Hisbah officials, with photographs showing piles of alcoholic beverages being crushed and rendered unusable. The agency said the items were confiscated during routine raids and surveillance operations across different parts of the state.
Officials of the Hisbah Board explained that the action was in line with Katsina State laws that ban alcohol, which authorities say contributes to social vices, crime and moral decline. They stressed that the enforcement drive targets sellers and distributors, rather than consumers alone, as part of efforts to curb the availability of prohibited substances.
“The destruction of these alcoholic drinks is a clear message that Katsina State will not tolerate activities that violate its laws and moral codes,” a Hisbah official was quoted as saying.
Residents who witnessed the exercise expressed mixed reactions, with some applauding the agency for upholding religious and moral standards, while others raised concerns about personal freedoms and the economic impact on traders affected by the seizures.
Human rights advocates have in the past criticised similar actions by Hisbah corps in northern
states, arguing that enforcement sometimes infringes on individual rights, particularly of non‑Muslims. However, state authorities maintain that the laws are applied within the framework of existing legal and religious provisions.Katsina is among several northern Nigerian states that operate Sharia law, under which alcohol is prohibited. Hisbah boards in these states are empowered to enforce compliance through patrols, seizures and public awareness campaigns.
The latest destruction exercise underscores the Katsina State Government’s continued support for Hisbah operations and its resolve to enforce laws governing public morality, amid ongoing debates over the balance between religious law, civil liberties and Nigeria’s secular constitution.