Community Vigilantes in Metropolitan Kano 1985-2005

Abstract

This publication is the outcome of research supported by IFRA under the "Security, Urban Dynamics and Privatisation of the Space in Sub-Saharan African Cities," programme. I thank Almighty God for the completion of this study. With gratitude, I thank Dr. Gerard Pescheux, the Director of IFRA Ibadan, for his unwavering efforts in conducting the research and in the final publication. I thank Dr. Laurent Fourchard, the former Director of IFRA, for his encouragement and support. Special thanks for Miss Christina Soper who has reviewed and edited the first draft version of this report.I appreciate the comments of Malam Ibrahim Muazzam, the Acting Director of the Centre for Research and Documentation (CRD), Kano, on the early draft of this study and his invaluable mentoring. I also thank my research assistants, especially Alhaji

Hisbah and Sharia Law Enforcement in Metropolitan Kano

“…(Mission and Achievement of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau 2004: 68) In this way, collective security remains elusive in the Kano metropolis (Olaniyi 2005). (Mission and Achievement of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau 2004: 68) In this way, collective security remains elusive in the Kano metropolis (Olaniyi 2005).…”

“…(Mission and Achievement of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau 2004: 68) In this way, collective security remains elusive in the Kano metropolis (Olaniyi 2005). During this period, inconsistencies and policy discrepancies affected the operations of Hisbah-which led to the emergence of two factions (Olaniyi 2005). It has been alleged that Hisbah could stoke religious fervor and intolerance.…”

“…In its contemporary history, Kano has witnessed both intrareligious and interreligious violence, as exemplified by the Maitatsine riots of 1980s and the Reinhard Bonke riot of 1991. Indeed, africatoday 57 (4) in April 2001, a state delegation, under the commandment of former Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, led the government faction of the Hisbah corps and policemen to invade and shut down hotels, where they destroyed stocks of alcoholic drinks (Olaniyi 2005). This has implications for policing that can ensure the processes of crime control without sliding into sectarian intolerance and violence.…”

“…The Wudil local government donated N200,000 to the Hisbah and Sharia committees (Olaniyi 2005). These zones have Hisbah committees for the purpose of coordinating the local government Hisbah committees in their respective zones for a term of three years.…”

“…About 251 Hisbah corps members received intensive training to enable them to work effectively, according to the law establishing the board (Olaniyi 2005). Between 1999 and 2003, there were 250 Hisbah corps.…”