Islamic police in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have started shutting down sports betting shops they say are operating illegally.
“As you know, gambling is forbidden in Islam,” Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy head of the Sharia police known as the Hisbah, told the BBC.
The crackdown was prompted by complaints from community leaders and parents concerned about the growing number of gambling addicts, he said.
On the first day of the raids, 30 shops in one suburb alone were closed and their owners sent home with a warning, the Sharia officer said.
But Mr Aminudeen warned that now that the public was aware that the Hisbah was restricting gambling, those who flout the rules would be arrested.
The city of Kano is the capital of Kano State, which has a predominantly Muslim population and, in addition to secular law, also applies the Islamic legal system – Sharia.
Bookmakers and bars are often allowed to operate in Kano’s Christian neighborhoods, but they too can take action if the Hisbah thinks Muslims are visiting them.
However, the current crackdown is targeting the Muslim areas of Kano, a sprawling city and the economic hub of northern Nigeria.
Sports betting shops can be found all over the city – most have television screens where customers watch the results of international football matches or horse races on which they have bet money.
Mr Aminudeen said such bookmakers could have operated under the radar because they had opened under false pretenses.
“They are not licensed to operate because they were given permission to run video game centers, which they later converted into betting shops,” he said.
The sports betting industry has expanded dramatically in recent years in the West African country, which is roughly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south.
Many people turn to bookmakers – to enjoy the camaraderie of other bettors – although mobile apps are also popular for betting on the outcome of events and teams.
Nigeria’s crippling economic crisis has also led to people being willing to risk a small amount of money in the hope of achieving a big win.
But this had led to widespread addiction and parents even complained that children were dropping out of school to gamble, Mr Aminudeen said.
“These economic problems we are facing in Nigeria is God telling us to change our ways by putting an end to sins,” he said.
Tuesday’s raids targeted Munjibir, considered a holiday resort in the northeast of the city where visitors flock on weekends.
“I advise those running these betting shops to close their doors or we will arrest them and take them there [a Sharia] court,” Mr Aminudeen said.
It is not clear what punishment awaits them; Such violations often carry a fine.
Sharia law was introduced in Kano in 2000 – as in 11 other Muslim-majority northern states – and prostitution, gambling and alcohol consumption were banned.
More Nigeria stories from the BBC:
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfricaon Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at BBCAfrica
