From Mu’awiya Bala Idris, Katsina.
A Katsina-based businessman, Jibrin Tanimu, has petitioned the state government over his alleged unlawful arrest, detention, and harassment by members of the Hisbah Board.
Tanimu, in a petition dated March 18, 2026, also alleged the disappearance of his personal money amounting to N221 million during an invasion by Hisbah operatives into his house.
The petition, made available to newsmen in Katsina by a legal firm, Legal Minded Law Firm, on behalf of the petitioner, said the incident happened in the early hours of March 10 when a combined team of Hisbah operatives, led by Nafiu Akilu, forcibly entered his house and arrested him.
The petitioner alleged that during the incident, a sum of N221 million kept in the house went missing and has not been recovered.
He said the arrest was linked to an ongoing case before the Upper Sharia Court, Katsina.
According to him, despite obtaining and serving a court order to one Hisbah official, Mahammadu Shitu, the order was rejected.
He said his arrest and detention were a violation of his fundamental rights and due process, urging the state government to investigate the actions of the Hisbah operatives.
Responding to the petition, the Commandant General of the Katsina Hisbah Board, Aminu Abu Amar, said the petitioner had been on a wanted list for allegedly defrauding several individuals through fake job offers, from which he reportedly collected over N10 million.
Aminu, who spoke through the Deputy Commandant of Operations, Mahammed Shitu, dismissed the petitioner’s claim of missing N221 million during his arrest.
He said the Hisbah operatives acted on a valid arrest warrant from the police.
