The Kano State Hisbah Board has confirmed the arrest of nine Muslims for allegedly eating in public on the first day of Ramadan.
The Deputy Commander of the board, Mujahid Aminudeen, disclosed this on Wednesday, stating that the suspects comprise seven men and two women.
According to him, the individuals were apprehended after they were seen eating in broad daylight, an act considered a violation of the Ramadan fasting rules observed by Muslims.
“We arrested them and they are with us. We will teach them the importance of fasting, how to pray, how to read the Qur’an, and how to become good Muslims,” Aminudeen said.
He did not, however, state when the suspects would be released.
Kano State, a predominantly Muslim state in northern Nigeria, operates Islamic law alongside the country’s civil legal system.
During Ramadan, officials of the Hisbah Board usually monitor markets and food outlets to ensure compliance with fasting regulations.
Although restaurants operate in areas with sizeable Christian populations, Muslims are expected to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset throughout the holy month.
