The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested a young couple and their friends for allegedly conducting a marriage ceremony without following Islamic or legal procedures.
The incident took place in the Nasarawa area of Kano city and involved 23-year-old Aminu, who reportedly married 22-year-old Sadiya. According to reports, the marriage was held without the knowledge or approval of their parents and without proper Islamic rites.
The Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah in charge of special operations, Dr. Mujaheedden Aminuddeen Abubakar, confirmed the arrests. He said Hisbah officials acted on a tip-off from concerned residents who noticed a marriage ceremony taking place in secret.
“We received reports from neighbours about an unlawful marriage being conducted. Our officers responded and found that the ceremony was held without parental consent and violated Islamic teachings,” Dr. Abubakar said.
Alongside the couple, several others were also arrested. These include Umar, 24, who acted as the groom’s representative (wakil), and Abubakar, 23, who posed as the bride’s guardian (wali). Five young women, including 21-year-old Usaina, were also taken into custody for serving as witnesses during the ceremony.
The marriage, according to Hisbah officials, was done with a bride price of ₦10,000, but without any formal or religious approval from the couple’s families or recognised authorities.
Dr. Abubakar stressed that the act violated both Islamic and state laws regarding marriage. “In Islam, marriage is a serious contract that must involve the consent of the bride’s guardian and meet specific conditions. Skipping these steps makes the marriage invalid,” he explained.
He also warned that Hisbah would continue to monitor communities and take necessary action against those who disregard Islamic values and social order.
All those arrested are currently in Hisbah custody and will be handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
This case adds to the growing number of incidents where young people in Kano State attempt to bypass traditional and religious marriage procedures, prompting concerns among religious leaders and local authorities.
The Hisbah Board, established to enforce Sharia law in Kano, has vowed to continue protecting moral standards in the state.
