Kano bans alcohol, prostitution

Kano State has banned prostitution, gambling and alcohol, following a meeting between state Deputy Governor Abdjulahi Umar Ganduje and leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, community leaders and the Council of Youth, AFP said.

In a communique, the state said it had taken the measure against
prostitution in view of the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS.

While the ban on alcohol is being introduced to reduce social problems, a spokesman for Ganduje told AFP the ban would only apply in areas where Muslims were the majority and not in hotels.

Kano, despite its northerly position and Islamic influence, is
largely cosmopolitan with a sizable Christian minority.

"Kano is a mini-Nigeria where you have people from all communities living together," Garba said, "we have to be flexible."

Unlike the state of Zamfara, where the present Sharia controversy started, Kano's bans would be enforced by existing law court and not by special Islamic tribunals.