The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has arrested 11 people in a late-night raid on a suspected brothel in the Cilma ward of Sokoto city, intensifying its ongoing crackdown on what it describes as immoral activities.

The operation was conducted under the banner of “Operation Tsaftace Birni Shehu,” a sustained enforcement drive by the Islamic morality police to, in its words, cleanse the state capital of prostitution, drug abuse and related offences. Officials said the raid followed credible intelligence and repeated complaints from residents who alleged that the premises had become a hub for illicit sex and nuisance behaviour.

Acting Hisbah Commander Imam Sirajo Abubakar, who personally led the team, said the 11 suspects, comprising both men and women, were apprehended inside rooms within the compound during the sting. He explained that officers cordoned off the area before entering, to prevent escape and to document evidence.

The facility has been sealed pending further investigation. Hisbah officials said they are profiling the suspects and interrogating the property’s managers to determine ownership, how long the premises have been operating and whether there is a wider network involved.

Abubakar reiterated the board’s resolve to enforce Sharia-based moral codes in Sokoto, warning that those who run or patronise brothels risk arrest and prosecution. He said the arrested individuals would be charged under applicable Sharia provisions once investigations are concluded, and that the case would be transferred to the appropriate court.

Residents of Cilma ward, who had long complained about noise, late-night movements and alleged solicitation around the building, welcomed the raid. Some community leaders described the operation as overdue, urging Hisbah to extend similar actions to other hotspots they say are undermining social and religious values.

The Hisbah Board appealed to the public to continue sharing information on suspected brothels, drug dens and related activities, promising to protect the identity of informants. Officials maintained that community cooperation remains central to the success of Operation Tsaftace Birni Shehu and to the broader effort to enforce moral discipline in Sokoto.