Amnesty International has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the alleged brutal assault of Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman and her two sisters by operatives of the Katsina State Hisbah, an Islamic moral policing unit. The global human rights watchdog described the incident as a severe violation of human rights and called on the Katsina State government to rein in the Hisbah and ensure their actions are firmly within the boundaries of Nigerian law.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Hisbah office in Katsina, has drawn national and international outrage, sparking concerns over the conduct of Hisbah officers and their legal authority. According to reports, Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman had gone to the Hisbah office to inquire about the whereabouts of some relatives who were allegedly detained by the group. What followed was a violent attack on her and her two sisters, a situation that Amnesty International condemned as an example of lawless behavior by the group.
Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman’s visit to the Hisbah office in Katsina was intended to seek clarity on the situation of her detained relatives. However, things took a violent turn when she asked a question at the office. She was reportedly set upon by approximately 20 Hisbah operatives, who assaulted her severely, leading to multiple injuries, including a broken bone. Her two sisters, who attempted to intervene and stop the assault, were also allegedly beaten and subjected to further degrading treatment.
The attack has left many questioning the actions of the Hisbah officers, with several people expressing concern over the lack of accountability and the unchecked power of the religious police force. Amnesty International, in a statement, called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately identify the officers responsible for the assault and ensure they face legal consequences.
“This attack is a blatant violation of the rights of the victims, and it is imperative that those responsible be held accountable,” said Amnesty International in their statement. “Assaulting women and girls can never be justified under any circumstances, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”
The Katsina State Hisbah, like similar moral policing bodies across Nigeria, is tasked with enforcing certain moral and religious codes, often using aggressive methods to regulate behavior in the name of upholding Islamic law. The group has faced consistent criticism for their violent tactics and their often ambiguous interpretation of Islamic principles.
Hisbah units have long been under scrutiny for their actions, with reports of unlawful arrests, raids of private gatherings, and unprovoked attacks. Amnesty International pointed out that many of these operations, conducted under the justification of targeting “immoral gatherings,” often lead to unlawful detentions and violent punishments that have no legal standing in Nigerian courts.
“This incident reflects a larger pattern of abuse and lawlessness,” said Amnesty’s statement. “The Hisbah’s continuing raids and arrests often lack the necessary legal basis and are carried out with little regard for basic human rights and the rule of law. These actions violate the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens, and victims are often denied access to justice.”
Amnesty International also highlighted concerns about the lack of formal law enforcement training for Hisbah operatives. The organization noted that many Hisbah officers are not trained in proper arrest procedures, suspect rights, or evidence gathering. This gap in training means that these officers regularly engage in practices that violate Nigerian law and human rights standards.
The lack of professionalism among Hisbah operatives is a recurring issue in states where these groups operate. Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to take steps to ensure that Hisbah officers are properly trained in human rights standards and law enforcement practices, urging for urgent reform within the organization.
“Given the extent of these abuses, it is clear that reforms are needed to ensure that Hisbah operates within the law, respects the rights of individuals, and does not continue to serve as a tool of oppression,” the statement read. “There must be a clear separation between religious policing and formal law enforcement, and Hisbah must be held accountable for their actions.”
The assault on Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman and her sisters has prompted widespread calls for justice, with many Nigerians expressing solidarity with the victims and demanding swift action against the Hisbah officers involved. The incident has sparked debates about the power of religious police in Nigeria and the need for a clear legal framework that defines their role and limits their authority.
In Katsina State, Governor Aminu Masari and other state officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. However, human rights groups are calling on the state government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and that future incidents are prevented. The brutality of this attack has raised serious questions about the safety and security of citizens who, under Nigerian law, should be protected from such assaults by any law enforcement or government body.
Amnesty International has reiterated its call for the Nigerian authorities to investigate the Katsina Hisbah’s actions thoroughly and take appropriate action to prevent future abuses. “This incident cannot be allowed to pass without consequences. The Hisbah must be held accountable for their actions, and we demand that the Nigerian authorities ensure that all individuals involved are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the organization stated.
The case of Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman is not an isolated incident. Similar abuses by Hisbah operatives have been reported in other parts of Nigeria, raising concerns about the growing power of non-state actors in enforcing religious and moral codes. In a country that prides itself on being democratic and governed by rule of law, the unchecked actions of groups like the Hisbah present a challenge to the principles of justice and human rights.
Amnesty International’s call for an investigation is part of a broader campaign for accountability and human rights protection in Nigeria. The organization is pushing for legal reforms that would prevent the abuse of power by religious policing bodies and ensure that law enforcement agencies operate in a manner that respects citizens’ rights.
As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see if the Nigerian authorities will take the necessary steps to rein in the Hisbah and restore the rule of law. The victims of the Katsina attack, and many others who have suffered at the hands of similar groups, continue to seek justice and accountability, hoping that their voices will not be ignored.
