Islamic police in Nigeria’s northern Kano state have arrested nine Muslims accused of breaking the Ramadan fast on its first day, officials said on Wednesday.
The arrests were carried out by the Hisbah, an Islamic law enforcement body that operates in Kano, a predominantly Muslim state where Sharia law functions alongside Nigeria’s secular legal system.
According to the Hisbah, seven men and two women were detained after being seen eating during daylight hours, when fasting is required for Muslims observing Ramadan. Officers routinely conduct patrols of cafés, restaurants and markets during the holy month to ensure compliance with fasting rules, although some businesses remain open in areas with large Christian populations.
Hisbah deputy commander general Mujahid Aminudeen told the BBC that the detainees claimed they were unaware that Ramadan had begun.
“They are currently in our custody, where we will be educating them on the importance of fasting, prayer, reading the Quran and becoming better Muslims,” he said.
Authorities did not specify when the detainees would be released. In previous cases, Hisbah officials have contacted families of those detained to ensure they observe the fast for the remainder of the month.
Fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which outline the core obligations of the faith. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is believed by Muslims to mark the period when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Sharia law was introduced alongside secular law more than 20 years ago in 12 northern Nigerian states with majority Muslim populations.
In Nigeria, Ramadan fasting began on Wednesday, 18 February, and is expected to conclude on either 21 or 22 March, depending on the sighting of the moon.