Niger State government has announced the banning of sales of alcohol in the commercial hub of Suleja, a Local Government Council as part of enforcement of Sharia law in the State.
The ban which extends to other eight Local Government Councils of the State has been approved by the Executive Governor, Umar Bago, stating that sales and consumption of alcohol in Suleja and eight other local government areas of the state has been prohibited.
In a statement signed by the board secretary, Ibrahim Muhammad Bonu, on Monday, the ban would commence on January 1, 2024, adding that some beer joints within Minna, the state capital, would be served with relocation letters to move outside the city to within an eight-kilometer radius of the post office in the state.
The statement which was obtained by CAPITAL POST on Wednesday called on all vendors to abide by the relevant extant laws establishing the board.
The Board Secretary said the nine local government areas were on the first schedule of the prohibited areas, and Suleja happens to be among them.
He, therefore, warned staff of the board to stay away from illegal activities and soliciting for any gratification from operators of beer parlours, saying any staff found wanting would be dealt with.
He said, “We are calling on all vendors to abide by the relevant extant laws establishing the board.”
“The law establishing the board has the mandate to control the activities of all liquor vendors in the state and therefore, nine local government areas were on the first schedule of the prohibited areas, and Suleja happens to be among them, and as such, the board will ensure strict compliance with the law”.
