From Desmond Mgboh /Kano
Kano State Hisbah Guards, Thursday in Kano, arrested no fewer than 10 people following
a night operation that was launched at a hotel in the metropolitan area of the state.
The 10 arrested people were guests of Heidon Hotel, a popular hotel located at No.
24 Zungeru road, Sabon – Garri, Kano State.
A manager of the hotel, (name withheld) told Saturday Sun that the Hisbah operatives
scooped at them, loaded in four vehicles, adding that they broke into the room of guests and
took them to their office.
He alleged that some of the arrested lodgers were innocent visitors who were unfortunately
taken custody for no offence but the fact that they were in the hotel.
He alleged that the Hisbah Guards confiscated an unspecified number of cartoons of beer, a laptop
belonging to the hotel’s director, four handsets and a car belonging to a guest.
Witnesses alleged that the operation by the state religious body sparked off tension in the neighborhood
as members of the community kept vigil all through the night out of fear of the unknown.
President of the Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Chief Augustine Ibezimako
told Saturday Sun that the incident had reported to the Nigeria Police Division in Sabon – Garri area of the state.
He lamented that his members were being denied rights in a democracy, alleging that hoteliers
in Kano State have lost several millions of naira following unprovoked attacks, confiscation and destruction of their property.
He appealed to the Nigeria Police in the state to assist in checking the excesses of the Hisbah Guards, adding that the situation was gradually becoming unbearable to their members.
It could be recalled that the Hotel Association of Nigeria, Kano State had on 18th of April , 2016, written a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 1, Kano State, lodging a complaint against the activities of Hisbah Guards.
