In Kano, Nigeria’s northern city, the Islamic police, known as the Hisbah, have initiated a firm crackdown on sports betting shops, citing that they are operating illegally and violating Islamic principles.
This action followed growing concerns about the social and economic damage caused by gambling, particularly in Muslim communities where Sharia law is enforced.
“As you know, betting is forbidden in Islam,” stated Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy chief of the Hisbah, in an interview with the BBC.
His remarks emphasize the deep-rooted religious prohibition against gambling, which is considered harmful both spiritually and socially in Islamic teachings.
The crackdown, prompted by complaints from community leaders and parents, aims to combat the alarming rise in gambling addiction. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that some young people are dropping out of school to indulge in the habit.
On the first day of the raids, Hisbah officers closed down 30 betting shops in a single suburb. While the shop owners were initially sent home with a warning, Aminudeen made it clear that future violations would lead to arrests.
Shariah Law
Kano city, the capital of Kano State, operates a dual legal system, where Sharia law runs alongside secular law.
The Hisbah’s enforcement efforts are primarily focused on Muslim-majority areas.
Sports betting has spread rapidly across Nigeria in recent years, driven by the nation’s economic struggles.
Many individuals, hoping for financial relief, turn to betting in the hopes of winning big.
“The economic issues we are facing in Nigeria is God telling us to change our ways by stopping sins,” Aminudeen said, underscoring the religious and moral dimension of the crackdown.
Hisbah officers believe that these economic hardships are a call to turn away from sinful activities, such as gambling, and to adhere more closely to Islamic values.
Since Sharia was reintroduced in Kano in 2000, along with 11 other northern states, practices like prostitution, gambling, and alcohol consumption have been banned. This latest effort to close betting shops is a continuation of Kano’s broader commitment to enforcing Islamic law and protecting the moral fabric of the community.