The Bauchi State Hisbah Command has arrested seven persons in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, over an alleged wife-swapping practice said to be carried out in secret among members of a religious group.
The suspects, reportedly affiliated with a group identified as Wuddadu, were accused of exchanging their wives for sexual relationships, an act authorities described as immoral and contrary to Islamic teachings.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, the Katagum Zonal Commander of the Hisbah Command, Malam Ridwan Muhammad Khairan, said the arrests followed complaints from residents and concerned members of the group.
Khairan disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated the suspects allegedly organised the practice deliberately and attempted to defend it with claims of spiritual revelations.
“There is no justification for such conduct in Islam. Marriage is guided by clear principles, and what they engaged in amounts to adultery and a violation of Sharia,” he said.
According to him, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the command’s enforcement unit, Operation Ko Ba Kobo, after intelligence gathering uncovered the activities.
The commander warned that the Hisbah Command would continue to clamp down on practices considered harmful to religious and moral values in the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
Reacting to the incident, the leader of the Wuddadu group, Malam Sagir Bashir, distanced the association from the alleged acts, insisting they were carried out by a few erring members.
Bashir said the group had previously counselled and warned those involved to desist from such behaviour but claimed they continued the practice secretly.
He added that the group eventually alerted the Hisbah Command to prevent further damage to the moral image of the community.
According to him, some of the suspects had earlier been cautioned over a similar incident but allegedly failed to honour their promise to stop.
