Hisbah B√st Secret Group Where Members ‘Exchange Wives’, Arrest Seven
Hisbah Bust Secret Group Where Members ‘Exchange Wives’, Arrest Seven
Hisbahauthorities have condemned the practice as adultery and a gross violation of religious and societal norms.
The Hisbah Command in Katagum Zone of Bauchi State has arrested seven suspected members of a controversial group allegedly involved in wife-swapping practices in Azare Local Government Area, in what authorities describe as a deeply troubling and unprecedented moral crisis within the community.
The group, identified as “Wuddadu,” is accused of orchestrating arrangements where married women were shared and exchanged among members for sexual and marital relations.
Hisba authorities have condemned the practice as adultery and a gross violation of religious and societal norms.
In a viral video, the Zonal Commander of Hisbah in Katagum, Malam Ridwan Muhammad Khairan, speaking to journalists in Hausa, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended following multiple complaints from alarmed residents and even insiders within the group who reported the disturbing activities.
According to him, the reports painted a shocking picture of coordinated arrangements among married couples to lend their wives to other men within the group.
“Someone borrowing another man’s wife,” Khairan said, visibly disturbed.
“You too go and visit another man’s wife. This one lends his (wife), inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (Indeed we belong to God and to Him we return).”
The Commander described the situation as a calamity of alarming proportions, lamenting what he called a dangerous moral deviation never before witnessed in his years of service.
“This calamity is extremely serious. Whoever lives long will see many strange things,” he said.
“Some members of the community who came to me last night called me on the phone saying that a calamity has emerged among them.”
Providing further insight into how the alleged acts were carried out, Khairan stated: “Among them, immoral people were found. They found some women and made arrangements; this one lends his wife, that one lends his wife, another lends his wife… wow.”
He stressed that such practices are completely alien to Islamic teachings and cultural values in the region.
“This disaster that has come upon us as Muslims, this kind of new immorality, we have never known it before. But now, someone lends his wife, and you go to another man’s wife. This one lends his… inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un.”
“Clearly, this is called adultery (zina), plain and simple,” he said.
Khairan went on to reiterate the religious requirements that define lawful marriage, citing Islamic teachings and drawing parallels with Christian marriage systems to emphasise the gravity of the alleged violations.
“What makes a woman lawful for a man, as the Messenger of Allah said, is: ‘There is no marriage except with a guardian (wali), a dowry (sadaq), two just witnesses, and a proper contract (offer and acceptance),’” he said.
“Marriage cannot exist except with these four things: a guardian, a dowry, witnesses, and a formal agreement. If these are fulfilled, then it is a valid marriage.”
“Even in Christian marriage, there is a covenant and payment. People sit, formalise the agreement, and there is a financial commitment that is fulfilled,” he added.
“It is not like someone just takes his wife, enjoys her, and then goes to another man’s wife.”
The Commander expressed shock that such acts could occur under his watch, despite years of enforcing moral discipline.
“Since I have been working in Hisbah (religious enforcement), I have never encountered this kind of immorality until now.”
According to him, upon confirming the allegations, Hisbah officials engaged the suspects directly, offering both warning and education, while also alerting surrounding communities.
“So, when these people confirmed to us that this is indeed what they are doing, we sat with them. We taught them, and we also sent messages to their followers in the villages,” he said.
However, he issued a warning that any recurrence would attract severe consequences.
“If we hear of this again, I will take a very serious action, one that is not expected against anyone involved in this behaviour,” he warned.
Quoting the Qur’an, he said, “We have now warned them. And we do not punish people until we have first sent them a warning.”
He warned that failure to curb the practice could have devastating ripple effects across the society.
“Now that we have warned them, and they are hearing and seeing, yet this thing is spreading and we are not informed quickly, if you allow this calamity to spread, it will consume them, consume us, and affect everyone around us,” he said.
“It is a disaster without limit, whose extent is unknown.”
The Hisbah leadership has also moved to formally distance itself from the group and its practices.
“Therefore, we dissociate ourselves from these people,” he declared.
“Our leader, Jalu, has also declared that he dissociates himself from this group.”
He called on communities and affiliated groups to expel anyone found engaging in such acts.
“From now on, tell them they are no longer part of your movement, expel them.”
“This is not the path of Allah. They will harm you, harm the movement, harm the religious order, and harm the religion of Islam,” he said.
“So distance yourself from them and make it known to the world that you are not with them, because this is not a righteous path.”
Describing the practice as a dangerous innovation, he said: “This is simply an immorality they have introduced.
“Therefore, I am announcing clearly: if we find even a single case again of this ‘exchange arrangement,’ I will take strict action against whoever brings it forward, using official authority, so they understand they have crossed a boundary and that there are consequences where they are heading.”
Providing an update on those in custody, Khairan confirmed: “Yes. Three men, we have not yet succeeded in apprehending two of them, and four women. Altogether, that makes seven people.”
