We’re not after skit makers, says Hisbah

• This development comes in the wake of public outcry over offensive content and comments by various skit creators
  

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The Hisbah, Kano State’s security unit, has clarified that their efforts to regulate skit creation on social media, especially TikTok, aim to influence public behavior rather than infringe upon human rights.

They highlighted that Kannywood actors and other skit creators in the state have pledged to maintain a modest approach in their content creation process.

This development comes in the wake of public outcry over offensive content and comments by various skit creators—such as Ado Gwanja, Ummi Shakira, Samha Inuwa, Murja, Mr. 442, Safara’u, Dan Maraya, Amude Booth, Kawu Dan Sarki, and Babiana—since late September 2022. These creators have also faced criticism from a group of Islamic clergy.

At the center of this narrative is Murja Kunya, a contentious TikTok personality whose lifestyle diverges from traditional norms in northern Nigeria.

Her candor, her use of foul language, and her thought-provoking posts on social media have generated conversations and arguments within the community.

You may recall a few days ago, the state’s security team called for the reprimand of Messers Kunya and several others a few weeks prior, citing the state as one of the most devout practitioners of Islamic customs.

You may also recall that a viral video circulating in some quarters of social media respectfully showed Messers Kunya before the commandant general of the commission paying allegiance to uphold decent Islamic dictates in her content.

The federal government has tried a number of ways to control the internet and social media platforms.

The National Assembly launched a campaign in 2015 to combat social media abuse and tried to enact laws to control it.

The Federal Government banned Twitter on June 4, 2021, following the removal of a message deemed inappropriate by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the former President.

The National Information Technology Development Agency also produced a proposed Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, an 11-page document, on June 13, 2022.