Sokoto Hisbah Board denies restricting Christian worship activities
The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has refuted social media claims that it imposed restrictions on Christian worship and practices within the state. Dr. Usman Abdullahi Jatau, the Commandant of the board, labeled the allegations as false and misleading, stating they could incite religious tension. The claims, reportedly sparked by a blogger named @radical.okoja.bia, suggested the board prohibited mixed-gender gatherings in churches, mandated separate worship services for males and females, and prevented pastors from sitting with their wives during services. These allegations also implied the restrictions were part of a broader plan to Islamize Nigeria, starting with Sokoto. Jatau clarified that the law establishing the Sokoto State Hisbah Board applies exclusively to Muslims, granting the board no legal authority to regulate Christian worship or dictate the religious activities of other faiths. He emphasized that attributing such restrictions to the Hisbah Board distorts facts and could harm peaceful interfaith relations. Jatau urged the public to disregard the unverified information and cautioned against linking the board to political narratives, stressing that such claims are unrelated to its statutory responsibilities. The board called for peace, unity, and mutual respect among the state's diverse faith communities.
