Kano Hisbah Arrests Nine for Eating in Public on First Day of Ramadan
The Kano State Hisbah Board has confirmed the arrest of nine Muslims for allegedly eating in public during daylight hours on Wednesday, the first day of Ramadan fasting in Nigeria.
The Islamic moral enforcement body said the suspects—seven men and two women—were apprehended in different parts of Kano metropolis after they were found consuming food openly despite the commencement of the holy month.
Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, said the individuals claimed they were unaware that Ramadan had begun. He stated that they would be given religious guidance on the obligations of fasting and other Islamic practices.
“They will be enlightened on the importance of fasting, how to observe prayers properly and the teachings of the Qur’an,” Aminudeen said.
As of the time of reporting, it was unclear whether the detainees had been released.
Kano, a predominantly Muslim state, operates Sharia law alongside Nigeria’s secular legal system. During Ramadan, Hisbah officials typically patrol markets, eateries and public spaces to ensure that adult Muslims comply with the dawn-to-sunset fast, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Such arrests have become a recurring feature of Ramadan enforcement in the state. In previous years, Hisbah authorities detained several Muslims for similar offences, with many later released after pledging to observe the fast.
Hisbah enforcement is generally directed at Muslims, as non-Muslims are exempt from the fasting requirement during Ramadan.
