By The Katsina State Hisbah Board has denied allegations that its officers assaulted a woman, Hauwa’u Lawal, during a visit to their facility — allegations that have sparked outrage online following a viral video.
At a press briefing in Katsina on Sunday, Malam Mohammad Shu’aibu, Deputy Commander General (Operations) of the board, described Lawal’s claims as “misleading and unsupported by evidence.”
In the video, Lawal claimed she was beaten by Hisbah officials when she tried to visit her brother in custody. According to her, the assault left her with a fractured leg and hearing issues.
But Shu’aibu told reporters that her brother had been arrested at an event centre for impersonating a soldier using an expired ID card. “He claimed to be a military officer using a 2023 ID labeled ‘Ex-boy,’ which turned out to be false,” Shu’aibu explained.
Regarding Lawal, the Hisbah deputy commander alleged that she was denied entry due to what he called “immoral dressing.” He also claimed she became aggressive and attempted to slap an officer. “She insisted on going in despite being stopped, and she lost her temper,” he said.
On her alleged injuries, Shu’aibu said the board asked for a medical report or x-ray from Lawal’s family but had received no documentation to back up her claims. “We have not seen any proof of injury. Our officers are trained to act professionally,” he said.
The Katsina State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Yar’Adua, added that an independent investigation was already underway. “Once our findings are ready, we’ll submit them to the appropriate authorities,” she confirmed.
As the story continues to trend, many are watching to see if Lawal presents medical evidence or if the investigation brings new facts to light.
