The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested popular TikTok content creator Namadina Tudunwada over a viral video the board says promotes fornication and could negatively influence young people.
The arrest was announced on Monday, August 3, by the board’s Deputy Commander-General, Mujahid Aminuddeen, in an official statement.
According to the statement, Hisbah operatives in Tudunwada Local Government Area apprehended the content creator after one of his videos gained widespread attention on social media.
In the controversial clip, Namadina allegedly compared the cost of getting married with the cost of engaging in illicit sexual relationships.
According to the Hisbah Board, the TikToker claimed that while marriage could cost about ₦200,000, fornication could cost as little as ₦2,000.
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The board argued that such remarks could discourage young people from embracing marriage while portraying immoral behaviour as a cheaper and more attractive alternative.
Hisbah accused the content creator of making statements capable of misleading youths and undermining the moral and religious values upheld in Kano State.
“The suspect was arrested after making statements capable of misleading young people and promoting immoral behaviour,” the statement said.
Deputy Commander-General Aminuddeen disclosed that the board has commenced a full investigation into the matter.
He said the outcome of the investigation would determine the next legal steps to be taken against the TikToker.
“We will expand our investigation and take the appropriate action in accordance with the law,” he stated.
Warning To Social Media Influencers
Following the arrest, the Kano State Hisbah Board issued a fresh warning to social media influencers and digital content creators.
The board urged them to exercise caution in the type of content they publish online, stressing that viral videos capable of encouraging behaviour considered immoral or contrary to societal and religious values could attract legal consequences.
According to the board, content creators have a responsibility to ensure that their platforms are not used to spread messages capable of misleading young people or eroding the moral fabric of society.
The arrest has since sparked conversations online, with some Nigerians supporting the Hisbah Board’s action as a necessary step to preserve societal values, while others have questioned whether the controversial remarks amount to a criminal offence or fall within the bounds of free expression.
