By Editor
The Kano State Hisbah Board on Monday announced the detention of a TikToker popularly known as Namadina Tudunwada, saying he is being held over allegations that he promoted premarital sex in comments made in a viral video circulating on social media.
According to the board, the content in question drew complaints from residents who flagged it as contrary to the moral and religious values upheld in the state. Hisbah officials said the remarks were reviewed and deemed to encourage behavior that violates state guidelines on public decency.
Deputy Commander of the board, Dr. Mujahedeen Aminuddeen, said the detention was part of Hisbah’s ongoing mandate to monitor online content and address material considered indecent. “The board remains committed to upholding moral and religious standards in Kano State,” he noted in previous statements on similar cases.
The viral clip featuring Namadina Tudunwada spread widely on TikTok over the weekend, sparking debate online about free expression, content regulation, and cultural norms in northern Nigeria. In the video, the creator was alleged to have made remarks interpreted as endorsing relationships outside marriage, which Hisbah classified as promotion of premarital sex.
This is not the first time the Hisbah Board has moved against popular TikTok creators in Kano. The board has previously sought to arrest several skit makers for allegedly posting vulgar videos on TikTok and other platforms, an act it says contradicts state laws. In earlier cases, creators were arraigned for producing and distributing content deemed obscene by the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board.
Under Kano’s legal framework, the Hisbah Board works alongside the Censorship Board to enforce regulations prohibiting the production and distribution of sexually suggestive or obscene materials. Offenders are typically invited for questioning, and cases deemed serious are transferred to court for further determination.
Civil society groups and legal practitioners have in the past raised concerns about how such enforcement intersects with constitutional rights to freedom of expression. The Nigerian Bar Association has previously described some court directives related to social media content as unconstitutional, arguing that no authority can compel personal choices.
For now, Hisbah said Namadina Tudunwada will remain in custody while investigations continue. The board added that it will determine next steps based on its findings, and may forward the matter to court if evidence warrants prosecution. Officials also urged content creators in the state to desist from posting material capable of encouraging immorality.
About The Author
