The lawmakers said the 2004 law was ineffective in providing legal backing for the Hisbah operation.

The Jigawa State House of Assembly repealed the state's Hisbah Advisory Committee (Establishment) law, 2004 and passed a new law to replace it -- the Hisbah Board Bill, 2025.

The lawmakers said the 2004 law was ineffective in providing legal backing for the Hisbah operation.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Haruna Aliyu, at Tuesday's plenary, said the introduction of the new bill with a total of 30 sections provides for the establishment of the Board as a corporate legal entity as well as its administrative structure and jurisdictions.

"It provides legal backing for effective operation, necessary funding, and additional resources to complement its activities and discharge its functions smoothly," the speaker stated.

The House Committee on Religious Affairs' chairperson, Abdu Muku, said the new bill, which is now awaiting Governor Umar Namadi's assent, empowers the governor to appoint a commander-general who shall be the Chief Executive of Mr Board and overall commander of the Corps.

"With the advent of the bill, a competent Board will be fully established along with adequate and qualified manpower to champion the revival of Hisbah and ensure its functionality and effective and efficient operation in the state.

"The bill, when passed into law and enforced, will maximize neighbourhood surveillance, assist in crime detection and prevention, restore moral values, ensure peaceful coexistence, enhance religious tolerance, and uphold Islamic moral principles within the society," Mr Muku said.