In a shocking and deeply troubling incident, the Sokoto State Hisbah Commission has arrested eight individuals for allegedly organizing a disturbing “Best Sex Performers” election in the state capital. The event, which reportedly took place at a popular venue, the Plus Centre on Maiduguri Road, sent ripples of disbelief across the region, raising serious concerns about public morality and the influence of illicit activities in Sokoto.
The arrests followed an extensive investigation prompted by intelligence reports received by the Hisbah Commission. Dr. Abubakar Usman Rabah, the Deputy Commander of Operations for the Sokoto Hisbah Commission, confirmed the arrests in a Facebook video, where he explained the sequence of events leading to the intervention.
“We had intelligence that an immoral event was about to take place, so we acted quickly,” Rabah said. “Upon receiving this information, we deployed plain-clothed personnel to the venue. They confirmed the reports, and by the time we arrived, the participants had already held two rounds of voting.”
Rabah went on to explain that the Hisbah officers, upon realizing the gravity of the situation, swiftly intervened to prevent further escalation. However, the operation did not go without resistance.
“During our intervention, two of our operatives were attacked by the participants, sustaining injuries in the process. Their vehicle was also damaged after it was stoned,” Rabah revealed, describing the violent response to the Hisbah presence. Despite the aggression, the Hisbah operatives managed to arrest eight individuals involved in organizing the event.
While the identities of the arrested suspects have not been made public, a senior officer confirmed that some soldiers had claimed that the detained individuals were connected to them.
“This is a recurring issue,” the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. “In the past, we have seized alcohol and soldiers have come forward claiming it was theirs. However, our investigations have always shown otherwise.”
The alarming event raised significant concerns, not only for its blatant disregard for societal values but also for the involvement of military personnel. The senior Hisbah officer hinted that such incidents, where soldiers come forward to claim ownership or affiliation, were becoming an increasing challenge. Despite the claims, investigations into past occurrences had proved such assertions to be false, leaving many questioning whether military personnel were intentionally shielding the wrongdoers.
Dr. Rabah issued a stern warning to event centers in Sokoto and beyond, stressing that the state government would not tolerate venues hosting immoral activities. He emphasized that any location found guilty of promoting activities like the “Best Sex Performers” election would face serious repercussions, including a possible shutdown.
“Let this be a lesson to other event centers,” Rabah warned. “We will not hesitate to shut down any venue found to be hosting immoral events. The government is committed to ensuring public morality is upheld, and such activities will not be tolerated.”
The Hisbah Commission, which is known for its efforts to maintain Islamic values and public morality in Sokoto State, has often faced challenges in enforcing its mandates, especially in a region where Islamic teachings are deeply ingrained in the daily lives of the people. However, the election of “Best Sex Performers” marks a new level of audacity in terms of the type of immoral activities that are allegedly taking place under the radar.
Many residents of Sokoto, particularly those with strong religious convictions, have expressed their shock and dismay at the idea of such an event even being considered. Some took to social media to express their outrage, with many calling for stronger enforcement of public morality laws.
“This is outrageous!” said one Sokoto resident. “How can anyone even think of organizing such an event in Sokoto, of all places? It’s an insult to our religion and our culture. The Hisbah Commission did well to intervene before it got out of hand.”
This is not the first time that the Sokoto Hisbah Commission has had to deal with incidents involving immoral conduct. In the past, the commission has seized alcohol, shut down clubs, and intervened in numerous activities it deemed to be in violation of public morality laws. Despite these efforts, there is growing concern that the rise of such illicit events could present an ongoing challenge to the Hisbah’s ability to maintain order in the state.
The event at the Plus Centre raises broader questions about the role of military personnel in Sokoto’s growing issues with immoral activities. The alleged involvement of soldiers in shielding the arrested suspects has sparked controversy and calls for greater transparency in how the military engages with the public.
As investigations continue, it is clear that this case will not only be a turning point in Sokoto’s fight against immorality but may also trigger larger debates on the relationship between security forces and public morality enforcement in Nigeria. The events at the Plus Centre on Monday evening have served as a stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in combating the rising tide of illicit activities in the region.
Authorities in Sokoto have vowed to continue their crackdown on public immorality, but with a growing number of incidents involving powerful figures, it remains to be seen whether their efforts will be enough to stem the tide of such unsettling activities in the future.
In the meantime, Sokoto residents and Nigerians alike await further updates from the Hisbah Commission as they continue their investigation into the disturbing event that shocked the state.
