The Kano State Hisbah Board has warned members of the public against paying money to anyone claiming to facilitate registration for the state’s mass wedding programme, describing such demands as fraudulent.

Deputy Commander General of the Board, Dr. Mujahideen Aminuddeen, issued the warning in Kano on Wednesday.

He said the board had received reports that some individuals were extorting prospective beneficiaries despite the Kano State Government’s decision to fully sponsor the programme.

Dr. Aminuddeen stressed that neither the Hisbah Board nor the state government had authorised anyone to collect registration fees or any form of payment from intending participants.

He explained that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had approved full sponsorship of the mass wedding programme, covering wedding attire, furniture, transportation of the furniture, and start up capital for beneficiaries.

According to him, the programme is completely free, and applicants should disregard anyone demanding payment or promising to secure a slot in exchange for money.

The Deputy Commander General urged members of the public, especially victims of extortion, to report such individuals to the Hisbah Board or relevant security agencies for investigation and prosecution.

The Kano State mass wedding programme is one of the social intervention initiatives of the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration aimed at supporting less privileged couples and easing the financial burden of marriage.

Daily Trust reports that the upcoming Kano state mass wedding will involve 1,500 couples, with the government approving N1.5 billion for the programme.

Preparations are already at an advanced stage, including mandatory medical screenings and logistical arrangements, ahead of Governor Yusuf’s formal announcement of the ceremony date. (Daily Trust)