KEY POINTS
- Bauchi Hisbah arrested seven suspected members of a group accused of wife-swapping in Azare.
- Authorities described the practice as adultery and a serious violation of Islamic and societal values.
- Hisbah warned that stricter punishment awaits anyone involved in similar activities in the future.
The Hisbah Command in Katagum Zone of Bauchi State has arrested seven suspected members of a group accused of organising wife-swapping activities in Azare Local Government Area.
According to the Islamic morality police, the group, identified as “Wuddadu,” allegedly arranged for married women to be exchanged among members for sexual relationships. Authorities described the practice as shocking, immoral, and against Islamic teachings and community values.
The arrests followed complaints from concerned residents and some alleged insiders who reportedly alerted Hisbah officials to the activities of the group.
Speaking in a viral video, the Zonal Commander of Hisbah in Katagum, Malam Ridwan Muhammad Khairan, said the command began investigations after receiving disturbing reports from members of the community.
Khairan explained that residents described coordinated arrangements where married couples allegedly allowed their spouses to engage in relationships with other members of the group.
The commander expressed deep concern over the allegations, saying he had never encountered such a case during his years in religious enforcement.
He described the development as a dangerous moral crisis capable of damaging families, communities, and religious values if left unchecked.
Hisbah Describes Practice as Adultery
The Hisbah commander strongly condemned the alleged activities, describing them as outright adultery under Islamic law.
Khairan stressed that lawful marriage in Islam must involve a guardian, dowry, witnesses, and a formal agreement. According to him, any relationship outside these conditions is unacceptable.
He added that the alleged practice goes against both Islamic and cultural traditions in northern Nigeria. The commander also compared it to Christian marriage systems, noting that every recognised marriage requires formal agreements and commitments.
According to him, simply exchanging wives among members without proper marital procedures cannot be justified under any religious teaching.
Khairan revealed that after the allegations were confirmed, Hisbah officials met with the suspects to educate and warn them against continuing the practice.
He said the command had also informed nearby communities and affiliated groups about the dangers of the alleged activities.
The commander warned that stricter actions would be taken if similar cases are reported again. He stressed that authorities would not tolerate any attempt to spread such practices within the state.
According to him, failure to stop the trend could lead to wider social and moral consequences for the community.
The Hisbah leadership publicly dissociated itself from the accused group and urged community leaders to expel anyone linked to the alleged activities.
Khairan said the group’s actions do not represent Islamic teachings or the values of the religious movement they claim to belong to.
He called on residents to report any future incidents immediately, warning that anyone caught promoting the alleged wife-swapping arrangement would face serious punishment under the law.
