Hisbah Arrests Seven Over Alleged Wife-Swapping Scandal In Bauchi State Community, Vows Crackdown

Bauchi State– Authorities of the Hisbah Command in Katagum Zone of Bauchi State have arrested seven individuals over  a shocking and unprecedented practice of wife-swapping in Azare Local Government Area, triggering outrage among residents and religious leaders.

The suspects, identified as members of a group locally referred to as “Wuddadu,” were apprehended following a series of complaints from concerned community members who raised alarm over the group’s activities, which allegedly involved married couples exchanging their wives for sexual and marital relations among themselves.

Zonal Commander of Hisbah in Katagum, Malam Ridwan Muhammad Khairan, disclosed the development while addressing journalists in Hausa language, describing the practice as a grave moral deviation and a dangerous trend capable of corrupting the wider society.

“Someone borrowing another man’s wife… You too go and visit another man’s wife. This one lends his (wife),” Khairan said in visible distress.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (Indeed we belong to God and to Him we return). This calamity is extremely serious. Whoever lives long will see many strange things.”

According to him, the Hisbah Command swung into action after receiving multiple distress calls late at night from residents who feared that the immoral practice was spreading within their community.

“Some members of the community who came to me last night called me on the phone saying that a calamity has emerged among them,” he said.

“Among them, immoral people were found. They found some women and made arrangements—this one lends his wife, that one lends his wife, another lends his wife… wow.”

Khairan stressed that such acts amount to outright adultery (zina) under Islamic law, emphasizing that lawful marriage is strictly defined and cannot be substituted with informal or immoral arrangements.

“Clearly, this is called adultery—plain and simple,” he declared.

“What makes a woman lawful for a man, as the Messenger of Allah said, is: ‘There is no marriage except with a guardian (wali), a dowry (sadaq), two just witnesses, and a proper contract.’”

He elaborated that the four pillars of a valid marriage—guardian, dowry, witnesses, and formal agreement—must all be fulfilled, noting that even other religions uphold structured marital covenants.

“Even in Christian marriage, there is a covenant and payment. People sit, formalise the agreement, and there is a financial commitment that is fulfilled,” he said.

“It is not like someone just takes his wife, enjoys her, and then goes to another man’s wife.”

The Hisbah commander further lamented that throughout his years in service, he had never encountered such a form of immorality.

“Since I have been working in Hisbah, I have never encountered this kind of immorality until now,” he said.

He revealed that the suspects admitted to the practice during interrogation, prompting authorities to counsel them and extend warnings to others who may be involved.

“So, when these people confirmed to us that this is indeed what they are doing, we sat with them. We taught them, and we also sent messages to their followers in the villages,” Khairan stated.

Issuing a stern warning, he vowed that any recurrence of such behavior would attract severe consequences.

“If we hear of this again, I will take a very serious action—one that is not expected—against anyone involved in this behavior,” he warned.

Citing religious injunctions, Khairan said, “We have now warned them. And we do not punish people until we have first sent them a warning,” he said.

“Now that we have warned them… if you allow this calamity to spread, it will consume them, consume us, and affect everyone around us.”

He described the situation as a “disaster without limit,” calling on community leaders to take a firm stand by rejecting and isolating those involved.

“Therefore, we dissociate ourselves from these people,” he said.

“Our leader, Jalu, has also declared that he dissociates himself from this group. From now on, tell them they are no longer part of your movement—expel them.”

Khairan urged residents to publicly distance themselves from the group to protect the integrity of their faith and community.

“This is not the path of Allah. They will harm you, harm the movement, harm the religious order, and harm the religion of Islam,” he added.

“This is simply an immorality they have introduced.”

He reiterated his resolve to enforce strict measures moving forward.

“If we find even a single case again of this ‘exchange arrangement,’ I will take strict action… using official authority so they understand they have crossed a boundary,” he said.

Providing further details on the arrests, Khairan confirmed that the suspects include both men and women, with some still at large.

“Yes. Three men—we have not yet succeeded in apprehending two of them—and four women. Altogether, that makes seven people,” he said.