Sokoto Hisbah dimisses claims of restricting Christian worship

The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has refuted allegations that it had imposed restrictions on Christian worship and practices. The board denied the claims following reports on social media that it had introduced rules affecting Christian worship and religious gatherings. The board's Commandant, Dr Usman Abdullahi Jatau, stated that the allegations were false and misleading, capable of causing religious tension in the state.

Jatau clarified that the allegations came from a blogger and others, who claimed that the board was interfering with Christian worship and imposing restrictions such as prohibiting mixed gatherings of men and women in churches and requiring separate worship services for males and females. Jatau emphasized that the board's mandate only applies to Muslims, and it had no legal authority to regulate Christian worship or dictate how other faith communities should conduct their religious activities.

The board cautioned against linking it to political narratives or claims of a coordinated plan to Islamise Nigeria, urging residents and Nigerians to disregard the allegations and maintain peace, unity, and mutual respect among different faith communities.