KANO, Nigeria — Religious enforcement officers in northern Nigeria’s Kano have arrested nine Muslims accused of eating publicly during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
The arrests were carried out by the Islamic police unit known as Hisbah, which conducts routine patrols across restaurants, cafés and markets to monitor adherence to Islamic guidelines during the fasting period.
Hisbah Deputy Commander General Mujahid Aminudeen told journalists that the individuals detained claimed they were unaware that Ramadan had begun.
The commander said the detainees would be educated on the religious significance of fasting, including Quranic study and compliance with Sharia law, which guides aspects of daily life in several northern Nigerian states.
Authorities say such operations are conducted annually in Kano to encourage observance of the fast, which requires adult Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset.
In 2024, Hisbah arrested 11 individuals on similar allegations. Those detained were later released after pledging to observe the fast, while families were urged to monitor compliance.
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Ramadan is one of Islam’s five pillars and is widely observed across Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, though enforcement practices vary by region.
Northern Nigerian states that operate Sharia-based systems often rely on religious policing bodies like Hisbah to oversee moral and social conduct during key religious periods.
Supporters argue the approach preserves communal values, while critics raise concerns about personal freedoms and inconsistent enforcement.
Human rights groups have in previous years urged authorities to balance religious expectations with constitutional protections, particularly in cases involving public arrests.
This year’s Ramadan, which began in mid-February, is expected to conclude around mid-March, depending on moon sightings.
