The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of all public Ramadan performances, open-air religious lectures, and large outdoor gatherings across Kano, citing credible security concerns as Muslims in Nigeria commenced the 2026 Ramadan fasting period on Monday, March 2, 2026.
The directive was formally communicated by the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, during a press briefing held at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano on Monday morning. Bakori stated that the decision followed a joint security assessment conducted by the police in collaboration with the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Kano State Hisbah Board.
According to Bakori, intelligence reports received in the days leading up to Ramadan indicated that certain criminal elements could attempt to exploit large religious gatherings to perpetrate attacks, cause unrest, or disrupt public order. He explained that the decision was preventive in nature and not a reaction to any specific incident that had already occurred within Kano State.
He stressed that while the state has remained relatively stable in recent months, security agencies cannot afford complacency during a period that traditionally attracts thousands of worshippers to open grounds, public squares, and major roads for Tafsir sessions and night prayers. “Our responsibility is to protect lives and property. Intelligence at our disposal suggests that large uncontrolled gatherings may present security vulnerabilities,” Bakori said.
The suspension affects well-attended Ramadan Tafsir programs typically organized in areas such as Fagge, Gwale, Tarauni, Dala, Nassarawa, and Ungogo Local Government Areas. Historically, prominent Islamic scholars deliver Qur’anic exegesis sessions after Taraweeh prayers, drawing massive crowds to venues including open fields, community centers, and roadside platforms across the ancient commercial city.
Routine daily and nightly prayers inside mosques will continue, the police clarified, but clerics and mosque committees have been advised to ensure strict crowd management, avoid blocking major roads, and comply fully with security guidelines. The police also warned against organizing religious processions or amplified street lectures without official clearance.
The Kano State Government expressed its backing for the measure. Speaking on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, confirmed that the governor had been briefed on the security situation. Dantiye stated that the administration prioritizes the safety of residents and would continue to coordinate closely with security agencies throughout the holy month.
The decision underscores the delicate balance between religious observance and security management in one of Nigeria’s most populous and historically significant cities. As Ramadan progresses, both government officials and religious leaders in Kano have called for unity, restraint, and cooperation to ensure that the holy month is observed peacefully despite the precautionary restrictions.
