By Mahmoud Muhammad Kano
The Kano State Hisbah Board has raised concern over reports that some people are collecting money from applicants of the state’s mass wedding programme.
The board said the allegations came from residents who were approached by individuals claiming they could fast-track registration for a fee.
According to Hisbah officials, the fraudsters present themselves as agents or intermediaries with special access to the programme.
They allegedly ask prospective beneficiaries to pay between small and moderate sums in exchange for forms, slots, or quick approval, even though the exercise is meant to be free.
In a statement on Tuesday, the board warned the public not to give money to anyone in connection with the registration. It said the Kano State Government is fully funding the mass wedding and no official is authorized to collect payments from participants at any stage.
The mass wedding initiative is one of the social programmes supported by the state to assist couples who may not be able to afford wedding expenses. Past editions have seen hundreds of couples joined in marriage with support that includes dowry, household items, and religious counseling, all covered by government allocation.
Hisbah explained that because the programme generates wide interest, it often attracts opportunists. The board said it has documented several complaints from people in different parts of Kano who were asked to pay to secure a place on the list, despite clear directives that registration is free.
The board is urging residents to go through designated channels only. It advised applicants to visit official Hisbah offices, approved centers, and community leaders announced by the state, and to insist on receipts and identification from anyone presenting themselves as a coordinator.
To address the problem, Hisbah said it is working with security agencies and local authorities to identify and apprehend those behind the extortion. It added that anyone found guilty of collecting money under the guise of the programme will face appropriate sanctions under state law.
Residents have been asked to report suspicious persons and phone numbers to the nearest Hisbah office or through the board’s complaint lines. The board stressed that protecting vulnerable applicants is part of its mandate, and that no one should be made to pay for a programme designed as free public support.
About The Author
