Nigeria's Islamic police have arrested nine people in the northern state of Kano for allegedly eating during Ramadan.

The international news agency BBC reported that the detainees were all Muslims. They were arrested by police on Wednesday on charges of eating during Ramadan. 

Kano city is a Muslim-majority area where Islamic law, 'Sharia', is enforced. Islamic police, known as Hisbah, monitor cafes, restaurants and markets every year during Ramadan to ensure Muslims are observing the rules of fasting. Some establishments remain open in some areas of Kano, which also has a significant Christian population. 

Hisbah deputy commander General Mujahid Aminuddin told the BBC that seven of the nine arrested were men and two were women. The detainees said they were unaware that Ramadan had begun.

Aminuddin said, 'We have arrested them. And they are with us. We will teach them the importance of fasting, how to pray, read the Quran and how to be a good Muslim.''