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Hisbah Arrests Nine Muslims for Allegedly Breaking Ramadan Fast in Kano

Published

2 months ago

February 19, 2026

Hisbah Arrests Nine Muslims for Allegedly Breaking Ramadan Fast in Kano

Officials of the Kano State Hisbah Board have arrested nine Muslims in Kano State for allegedly failing to observe fasting during Ramadan, triggering renewed debate over religious enforcement and personal freedoms in northern Nigeria.

According to the Hisbah authorities, the arrests were carried out during routine patrols across parts of Kano metropolis after reports that some individuals were eating and drinking publicly during fasting hours. The suspects were picked up at different locations, including eateries and roadside areas, and were subsequently taken into custody for questioning.

A senior Hisbah official explained that the enforcement action was in line with the agency’s mandate to uphold Islamic moral standards during the holy month of Ramadan, particularly among Muslims who are expected to fast from dawn to sunset.

The official noted that exemptions exist for certain categories of people, including the sick, pregnant women, travelers, and nursing mothers, but stressed that anyone claiming exemption must provide valid justification.

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“The essence of this exercise is not to punish but to ensure compliance with Islamic principles and preserve the sanctity of Ramadan,” the official said, adding that those arrested would be counselled and possibly released after undertaking to observe the fast.

The arrests have, however, drawn mixed reactions from residents and rights advocates. While some Kano residents supported the move, arguing that public disregard for fasting offends religious sensibilities, others expressed concern over civil liberties and freedom of religion, especially in a plural society.

This is not the first time the Hisbah Board has taken such action. The agency has a history of enforcing Ramadan-related regulations, including the closure of eateries during fasting hours and warnings against public consumption of food by Muslims.

Kano State operates an Islamic legal system alongside conventional law, and the Hisbah Board plays a central role in religious and moral enforcement, particularly during Ramadan.

Background: Hisbah and Ramadan Enforcement in Kano

The Kano State Hisbah Board is a government-backed moral enforcement body established to promote Islamic ethics and social order. Its activities typically intensify during Ramadan, a period regarded by Muslims as sacred and spiritually significant.

Over the years, Hisbah’s actions—ranging from arrests for public eating to crackdowns on alcohol and “immoral conduct”—have sparked recurring debates about human rights, religious tolerance, and the limits of state-backed moral policing.

Hisbah Arrests Nine Muslims for Allegedly Breaking Ramadan Fast in Kano

Related Topics:Hisbah Kano Muslims Ramadan

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Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), just months after his appointment, in a major shake-up within Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory leadership.

The President has also nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the agency, subject to Senate confirmation.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the decision was taken “in the public interest” and in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

The statement explained that the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory efficiency and improving governance in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior officer in the NMDPRA will oversee the agency in an acting capacity.

The Presidency also thanked the outgoing Authority Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

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Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, the newly nominated head of the agency, is described as a seasoned energy executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He is noted for expertise in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

He holds a degree in Accounting from Bayero University and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

His nomination comes months after Tinubu initially submitted Mohammed’s name to the Senate for confirmation following leadership changes in key petroleum regulatory agencies. At the time, Mohammed had been expected to lead the NMDPRA, while another nominee was proposed for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Mohammed, a chemical engineer with decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, previously served in senior positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) structure, including Managing Director roles at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company. He also participated in several national gas infrastructure projects.

The latest development is part of ongoing restructuring within Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework under the Petroleum Industry Act, which has seen changes in leadership across key agencies.

The Senate is expected to consider the nomination of Rabiu Umar in the coming days as part of its confirmation process.

Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

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Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

police officer kills handcuffed suspect in Delta

Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, describing the incident as “criminal and unprofessional” and inconsistent with police standards of engagement.

Addressing journalists at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the April 26 incident was unacceptable and reaffirmed that no officer has the authority to take the law into their own hands regardless of the circumstances.

The IGP confirmed that the principal suspect, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, along with other officers involved in the operation, have been transferred from the Delta State Command to Abuja to face disciplinary proceedings. He added that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) has already taken up the case.

He further disclosed that three inspectors who were part of the operation have been subjected to an Orderly Room Trial as part of internal disciplinary procedures to determine their individual levels of involvement.

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Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing of 17-Year-Old UTME Candidate

According to the police leadership, investigations established that ASP Usman violated Force Order 247, which governs the use of firearms, as well as other standard operational procedures regulating police conduct during arrests and engagements with suspects.

The Force has recommended the immediate dismissal of all officers found culpable in the incident. It also directed that they be handed over to appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over unlawful homicide after their removal from service. The recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission for final approval.

The Inspector-General distanced the institution from the actions of the officers, stressing that they acted outside official rules and the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force. He stated firmly that “no uniform is a licence to kill” and reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on abuse of power and extrajudicial conduct.

He also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and assured Nigerians that justice would be served transparently. The IGP urged residents of Delta State and the general public to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands while investigations and disciplinary actions continue.

The police leadership said the case reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability within the Force and ensure that officers who violate professional standards face appropriate sanctions.

Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

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Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing of 17-Year-Old UTME Candidate

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2 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai

Lagos Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Killing of 17-Year-Old UTME Candidate

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspects, Elijah Emmanuel and Tony Ekwane Oghanetega, in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate, Thompson Omokhafe Adams. The case has also exposed an alleged wider criminal network linked to kidnapping and murder.

Police said the suspects were arrested during coordinated intelligence-led operations in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The operation followed days of surveillance after the killing of the teenager, who was reportedly targeted after returning from an examination centre.

According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, the arrests are part of broader security operations that led to the detention of 118 suspects in one month for offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.

Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to killing the 17-year-old to cover up another crime. Police sources said the victim had reportedly identified one of the suspects before his abduction and killing.

A police source further disclosed that the suspects lured the teenager before attacking him. He was reportedly tied up and strangled after being taken to a secluded location. Investigators said both suspects took turns in carrying out the act.

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The police also linked the duo to an earlier kidnapping and murder case in November 2025, in which a female victim was abducted and killed after a ransom of ₦300,000 was collected from her family.

Authorities said the pattern of operations suggests involvement in organised kidnapping activities targeting victims for ransom and later eliminating them to avoid identification.

The Lagos Police Command also revealed that during the wider operation, officers recovered several weapons and incriminating items, including locally made pistols, a Beretta pistol, dane guns, cutlasses, knives, telecom batteries, suspected cannabis, and charms.

CP Jimoh said the arrests demonstrate the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and ensuring public safety across Lagos State. He added that investigations are ongoing to track down other accomplices linked to the crimes.

The suspects remain in custody and are expected to be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.