Kano, Nigeria – February 20, 2026 — The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 11 Muslims for reportedly eating in public during fasting hours in Ramadan.
The arrests occurred across market areas, with officers also searching cafés and restaurants. Nine arrests were reportedly made on the first day of the fast. The individuals were released after pledging to observe fasting rules, and family members were contacted to ensure compliance.
The Hisbah, tasked with enforcing Sharia-based moral codes among Muslims in Kano, has drawn both support and criticism. Proponents see it as preserving communal religious observance, while critics question the legality and proportionality of detaining individuals for personal religious conduct.
Ramadan, observed by Muslims worldwide, requires fasting from dawn to sunset. In northern Nigeria, public adherence is socially and legally encouraged in states operating Sharia-compliant institutions, like Kano.