The Islamic police in Nigeria's northern state of Kano arrested nine Muslims on Wednesday who were seen eating food during the first day of this year's Ramadan fast.
Kano has a majority Muslim population, where an Islamic legal system - Sharia - operates alongside secular law.
The Islamic police, known as the Hisbah, search cafes, restaurants and markets every year during Ramadan to ensure Muslims are adhering to the fasting hours. Some establishments stay open in areas of Kano where many Christians live.
For Muslims, eating is prohibited between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which lay the basis for how Muslims are required to live their lives.
Hisbah's deputy commander general Mujahid Aminudeen told the BBC that the nine detained - seven males and two females - had feigned ignorance that Ramadan had begun.
