The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested two teenage boys – Umar Yahaya and Musa Al-Hassan – for allegedly planning to organise a birthday party involving individuals identified as Yan Daudu (pimps) during the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The Deputy Commandant General of the Hisbah Board, Mujahideen Aminudeen, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, the teenagers, aged 19 and 18 respectively, allegedly used social media platforms to invite people from different parts of the country to attend the planned birthday celebration scheduled to take place immediately after the Eid prayer.
Aminudeen described the development as disturbing, noting that the suspects had claimed to be Yan Daudu and were encouraging others with similar identities to attend the gathering.
“It is unfortunate and upsetting that some young people, whose ages are still very small, such as Umar Yahaya (19 years old) and Musa Al-Hassan (18 years old), claim to be Yan Daudu and even invite others who identify the same way,” he said.
He added that the suspects allegedly planned that after the Eid prayer, attendees would gather for a birthday celebration involving dancing and other forms of indecent behaviour.
“They planned that after the prayers (Eid), people would gather and celebrate a birthday where there would be dancing and indecent behaviour.
“They were inviting people from different places to come so that after the Eid prayer, there would be inappropriate acts associated with Yan Daudu, involving immoral conduct and shameless behaviours,” he stated.
The Hisbah official said the plan was seen as an attempt to undermine the spiritual benefits gained during the holy month of Ramadan.
“They were calling people from everywhere to attend. Out of disrespect, they even mentioned Hisbah and its leadership while inviting people,” he said.
Aminudeen disclosed that the Board had directed its commanders to firmly address the situation by arresting anyone found engaging in immoral acts.
However, he said the two teenagers had apologised and expressed regret over their actions after being apprehended.
According to him, preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects lacked proper religious knowledge and guidance.
“When we examined the situation, we realised that they did not even understand the religion properly. They lacked knowledge of Islam, proper conduct and even a clear understanding of life,” he said.
He added that instead of immediate prosecution, the Board would place the teenagers under its supervision to receive guidance and religious education.
“We will continue to guide and support them, teaching them religion so that they understand prayer, good character and responsibility, and help them find productive things to do so that they become well-behaved and responsible youths.
“Because if these children are simply taken to court or imprisoned, it may not help them,” Aminudeen added.
Meanwhile, the Hisbah Board said it would deploy personnel to monitor mosques and other areas where night prayers are held as Ramadan enters its final days.
The Board said the move is aimed at enhancing security during special night prayers and protecting worshippers observing spiritual retreat in mosques.
Aminudeen noted that while the last days of Ramadan are meant for increased worship and devotion, the Board had received complaints that some people attending late-night prayers were engaging in inappropriate activities.
“After the Tarawih prayers, some places turn into areas where men and women meet privately, hence the decision to monitor the situation,” he said.