Islamic police in Kano State have began closing down sports betting shops, which they say are operating illegally.
According to Mujahid Aminudeen, the Deputy Chief of the Sharia police force, known as Hisbah, this was prompted by complaints from community leaders and parents, worried about the growing number of gambling addicts,
“As you know, betting is forbidden in Islam”, he said while speaking with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The first day of the raid saw 30 shops closed in one suburb alone 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 clamping down on gambling, those flouting the rules would be arrested.
Kano is the capital city of the state, which has a majority Muslim population and operates the Islamic legal system – Sharia – alongside secular law.
However, in Christian dominated areas of the city, bookmakers and bars tend to be allowed to operate, though, they too can face action if the Hisbah thinks Muslims are patronising them.
The current crackdown is focused on 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 televisions screens with customers watching the outcome of international football matches or horse races on which they have staked money.
Mr Aminudeen said such bookmakers had been able to operate under the radar as they had opened under false pretences.
“They don’t have licences to operate as they were given permission to run video games centres, which they later converted to betting shops,” he said.
The sports betting industry has expanded dramatically in recent years across the West African nation, which is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and a largely Christian south.
Many go to bookmakers – to enjoy the camaraderie of other gamblers – though mobile apps are also popular to wager on the outcome of events and teams.
Nigeria’s crippling economic crisis has also meant people are willing to risk a small amount in the hope of winning big.
But this had led to widespread addiction and parents were even complaining that children were dropping out of school to gamble, Mr Aminudeen said.
“These economic issues we are facing in Nigeria is God telling us to change our ways by stopping sins,” he said.
The raids on Tuesday had focused on Munjibir, considered a resort area in the north-east of the city – with visitors flocking there at weekends.
“I am advising those running those betting shops to either shut down or we’ll arrest them and take them to [a Sharia] court,” Mr Aminudeen said.
It is not clear what punishment they would face – often such infringements carry a fine.
Sharia was introduced in Kano in 2000 – as it was in 11 other Muslim-majority northern states – and prostitution, gambling and the consumption of alcohol were banned.