The Yobe State Hisbah Commission has issued a directive prohibiting physical interactions and private conversations between men and women in commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and at public gatherings, citing that such behaviour contravenes Sharia principles.
The statement, released on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, comes from the office of the State Commander, Dr. Muhammad Yawudi Kale, and has the approval of the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Yahuza Hamza Abubakar.
“The Yobe State Hisbah Commission wishes to inform the public and issue a warning regarding activities that contradict the teachings of Sharia,” the statement said.
Specifically, the commission highlighted the following areas of concern:
Reckless movement or driving in vehicles during public events such as weddings or Sallah celebrations.
Physical interactions between men and women in vehicles, particularly commercial tricycles (Keke Napep) and motorcycles, or at public gatherings.
Private conversations between men and women that fall outside the approval of Sharia.
The directive calls on parents and community members to support its enforcement to safeguard the moral upbringing of children in the state.
The Commission emphasised that adherence to these rules is critical for maintaining societal values in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Dr. Kale and Dr. Abubakar urged the public to cooperate with the Hisbah to ensure compliance, noting that the directive aligns with the broader mandate of the commission to promote discipline and social order in Yobe State.
This announcement comes on the heels of a series of recent restrictions by Hisbah authorities across Northern Nigeria, aimed at curbing behaviors seen as contrary to Islamic teachings.
For instance, similar prohibitions have been enforced in Kano, Bauchi, and Zamfara states, where Hisbah officers have warned against mingling of unrelated men and women in public spaces and religious gatherings.
Officials in those states cited concerns over moral corruption and the need to protect community standards as justification for the measures.
Observers note that such directives, while sometimes controversial, reflect the ongoing efforts by Hisbah commissions in the region to enforce social discipline and public morality under Sharia law.
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