Kano Hisbah Arrests 25 People For Eating And Selling Food During Ramadan Fasting Hours

Kano Hisbah Board has arrested 25 Muslims for allegedly eating, drinking, and selling food in public during the daytime hours of Ramadan.

Mujahideen Abubakar, the board’s deputy commander general of operations, told the BBC that the arrests were part of an ongoing operation that started on Saturday and will continue until the end of Ramadan.

Abubakar clarified that the board’s actions do not target non-Muslims, emphasizing that any form of disrespect for the holy month would not be tolerated.

“It is important to note that we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims — any disrespect for Ramadan would not be condoned,” he said.

He revealed that 20 people were arrested for not fasting, while five others were apprehended for selling food during fasting hours.

According to him, the board often receives complaints from residents about people violating the fast, prompting swift action from Hisbah officers.

He said, “It’s heart-breaking 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.

“20 people had been arrested for not fasting and five for selling food. 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.”

Abubakar added that all 25 suspects have been charged in a Sharia court and will face appropriate penalties.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, making it a religious obligation for Muslims. However, certain groups such as the sick, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, travelers, menstruating women, and the elderly who are physically unable to fast are exempt.

The Kano Hisbah Board is tasked with upholding Islamic moral standards in the state. The agency is known for enforcing religious laws, including banning mannequins in shops, destroying alcoholic beverages, and arresting unmarried couples found together in hotels.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Kano State Government recently set aside N2.5 billion to fund quarterly mass weddings across its 44 local government areas in 2025.