The Kano State Hisbah Board has apprehended 20 Muslims for eating and drinking in public during the ongoing Ramadan fast, while also arresting five individuals for selling food during fasting hours.
The Deputy Commander of Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, confirmed the arrests on Monday, stating that they were carried out to maintain the sanctity of the holy month.
“It’s heartbreaking that in such a holy month meant for fasting, adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly. We won’t condone that, and that’s why we went out to make arrests,” he said.
Aminudeen disclosed that all 25 suspects had been charged before a Sharia court, where they would face appropriate punishment. He emphasized that the board’s enforcement was strictly targeted at Muslims, clarifying, “It is important to note that we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims.”
The Hisbah official further stated that the operation, which began at the start of Ramadan, would continue throughout the fasting period.
In addition to the arrests for public eating, Hisbah also detained individuals for “inappropriate haircuts,” wearing shorts above the knee, and tricycle operators for mixing male and female passengers.
Aminudeen revealed that the board frequently acts on tip-offs from residents. “We do get calls from people who are enraged after seeing people eating in public, and we act fast by going to the area to make arrests,” he explained.
Last year, some offenders were released after pledging to observe the fast, while others were handed over to their guardians for monitoring. However, Aminudeen stated that this year’s offenders would not be spared and would face legal action.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, had declared Saturday, March 1, as the first day of Ramadan after the crescent moon was sighted on Friday, February 28. The fasting period is expected to end on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
