Authorities of the Hisbah Command in Bauchi State have detained seven individuals in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, following allegations of a controversial wife-swapping practice that officials described as both immoral and contrary to religious teachings.
The suspects, reportedly linked to a group identified as “Wuddadu,” are accused of arranging exchanges involving married women among members for intimate and marital purposes.

Hisbah officials condemned the act as outright adultery and a dangerous departure from accepted Islamic and cultural values.

Speaking in a now-viral Hausa-language video, the Zonal Commander of Hisbah in Katagum, Malam Ridwan Muhammad Khairan, revealed that the arrests were made after repeated complaints from worried residents — including some individuals allegedly connected to the group.

According to Khairan, the reports exposed what he described as a deeply disturbing network of agreements among married couples to “lend” their wives to other men within the circle.

“One man gives out his wife, while he goes to another man’s wife,” the commander lamented, repeatedly expressing disbelief at the revelations.

Visibly shaken, Khairan described the alleged conduct as unprecedented during his years in religious enforcement, calling it a moral crisis capable of damaging the wider community if left unchecked.

“This calamity is extremely serious,” he said. “Whoever lives long enough will witness strange things.”

He explained that residents had urgently contacted him after learning of the activities, prompting an immediate investigation by Hisbah officials.

Further describing the alleged arrangement, Khairan said members of the group coordinated exchanges involving their spouses, an act he insisted has no basis in Islam or the region’s traditional values.

“This is zina — clear and simple,” he declared, referring to adultery under Islamic law.

The commander also outlined the Islamic conditions required for a lawful marriage, stressing that marriage must involve a guardian, dowry, witnesses, and a formal agreement. He added that even Christian marriages involve recognised covenants and procedures, unlike the alleged practices uncovered in Azare.

Khairan said officials met directly with the suspects after confirming the allegations, offering warnings and religious counselling while informing surrounding communities about the matter.

However, he warned that any repeat occurrence would attract harsher consequences.

“We have warned them now,” he stated. “If this happens again, decisive action will be taken.”

Citing Qur’anic teachings, the commander noted that punishment should only follow proper warning and education. Still, he cautioned that failure to stop the trend could allow it to spread and negatively affect society at large.

The Hisbah leadership also publicly distanced itself from the accused group and urged communities to expel anyone linked to such behaviour.

“This is not the path of Allah,” Khairan said. “Anyone involved should be separated from the movement and from the community.”

Describing the practice as a dangerous moral innovation, he vowed that authorities would respond firmly to any future cases discovered.
Providing an update on the arrests, Khairan confirmed that seven suspects — including four women and three men — had been identified, though two male suspects were still at large at the time of his statement.