Kano State, Nigeria - Kano State Shariah implementation arm has destroyed nine truck loads of beer and non-alcoholic drinks worth over N50 million, despite the suit at High Court filed by Hoteliers Association for a stay of action.
Trucks conveying the drinks to Kano from Kaduna were impounded at Dankatsale, a suburb located on Kaduna-Kano Express Road, by the state Sharia guard, Hisbah.
The trucks were said to have been ambushed at midnight by Hisbah operatives, who promptly ordered the truck drivers to divert them to their head office.
At the Hisbah headquarters, one of the operatives allegedly took control of one of the trucks, believed to be loaded with 800 cartons of Malta Guinness, which somersaulted into a deep pit, with all its contents destroyed, while the vehicle was damaged beyond repairs.
Speaking to THISDAY, President, Hoteliers Association in Kano, Chief Olayiwola Adeaga, confirmed the seizure, but expressed surprise on how one of the trucks with plate number XA 112 TNG loaded with alcoholic drinks could not be accounted for by Hisbah operatives who impounded it.
According to him, Hisbah's action was provocative and capable of degenerating to a breach of the peace in Kano.
He said "to be frank and sincere, we have been groaning in pains, because we have found ourselves to be living under religious bondage, which has adversely affected our business, the destruction of the items will send us into a traumatic situation with members of our families and employees, which might lead us into financial and mental retardation."
He said there was a subsisting Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hisbah and Hoteliers Association to shield contents of the trucks from public view before conveying them into the Pyramid City, which was complied with by the association.
He expressed worry over Hisbah's refusal to transfer the case to the state Police Command for investigation, as ordered by Kano State Commissioner of Police.