By Anwar Usman
Sokoto State Hisbah Board has shutdown a hotel in the state capital over allegations of accommodating underage girls on its premises.
The incidence was confirmed by the Deputy Commander General of the board, Prof. Abubakar Usman Ribah, on Tuesday, saying that the action followed repeated violations by the hotel despite earlier warnings.
Ribah said the hotel was found to have breached regulations prohibiting the lodging of underage persons, describing the act as contrary to the moral and legal standards upheld by the board.
He stated that, the hotel had previously been cautioned and had also entered into an agreement with the Hisbah Board and other hotel operators in the state not to allow underage children to stay in their facilities.
“This is the second time such an offence has been recorded at the Executive Hotel, despite previous warnings and assurances by the management to desist from the practice,” he said.
He further explained that the decision to shut down the hotel was taken due to its failure to comply with the board’s directives and the conditions agreed upon during engagements with hotel owners across the state.
Riba further reiterated the board’s unwavering commitment to enforcing laws and would continue to enforce its regulations in line with the state’s religious and cultural values, emphasising that such measures were necessary to maintain public order and morality.