The former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has expressed fears that the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, may one day become like the Hisbah Corps.

Amotekun was set up to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other forms of crimes in the southwestern part of Nigeria.

Hisbah, on its own part, is a religious police force responsible for the enforcement of Sharia in the northern part of the country.

The religious police recently made news when it ordered a radio station in Kano State not to broadcast anything concerning Black Friday.

According to Hisbah, Friday is a day of worship for Muslims and there is nothing black about it.

It also recently banned ladies from using mobile phones and wearing sunglasses in Kaduna State.

In an apparent comparison of both operations, Shehu Sani said, “the very moment Amotekun extends their mandate beyond security issues to the enforcement of ‘decent dressing’, they have become Hisbatekun.”

Below are some reactions from Nigerians.

@Harikhe wrote: “They better not go out of the scope of the work which is to provide security or it will be EndAmotekun.”

@Obaa71 wrote: “This has shown the fears some of us have been having about state policing.”

@Obi_Hexane wrote: “I’m already questioning their effectiveness with the rate of kidnapping, murder and other violent crimes more prevalent in southwest lately.”

@7asteris wrote: “Amotekun is created to roam around the forest and State borders….. any form of civil/uncivilized policing is absolutely and completely unauthorized.”

@anichukwunt wrote: “In this modern era. All these are still happening, Hisbah n Amotekun. How do they want us to move forward? When d govt keep on creating factors that will lead us back to the 15 century. it’s a shame.”

The very moment Amotekun extends their mandate beyond security issues to the enforcement of ‘decent dressing’,they have become Hisbatekun.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 4, 2020