Kebbi Hisbah arrests youths for alleged mock Hajj rituals

The Kebbi State Hisbah Board has arrested a group of youths in Zuru Local Government Area for allegedly wearing ihram garments and imitating Hajj rites on the Day of Arafah.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, May 31, 2026, by the Board’s Director of Sharia, Judge Surajo Usman Kamba.

According to the statement, the Hisbah Board acted following reports that some youths were claiming to be performing Hajj rituals in a manner similar to pilgrims currently observing the pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Board said the youths were apprehended and questioned over their actions.

During the interrogation, officials explained to them that Hajj is a religious obligation prescribed by Allah to be performed only at designated locations and during specific periods, and that replicating the rites elsewhere does not constitute a valid pilgrimage.

“The youths were educated on the religious significance and requirements of Hajj and were made to understand that such acts are not recognised in Islamic teachings,” the statement said.

The Board added that the youths admitted their mistake, expressed remorse and pledged not to engage in similar conduct in the future.

Following their undertaking to be of good behaviour, the youths were subsequently released by the authorities.

The Hisbah Board urged residents, particularly young people, to seek proper religious guidance and avoid actions that could misrepresent Islamic acts of worship.