Nigerian State's Islamic Police Behead 'Idolatrous' Mannequins

Kano state's Hisbah had yet to enforce the ban on mannequins' heads, but last year officers shaved the heads of young men sporting “mohawk” hairstyles and told them off for wearing low-hanging trousers.

Islamic police in Nigeria's Kano state have ordered clothes shop dummies to be decapitated for breaking the Muslim prohibition on idolatry.

"Islam frowns on idolatry," Hisbah religious police commander Haruna Ibn-Sina told the BBC. "With the head on it looks like a human being".

He added that even with the heads removed, mannequins should be kept covered at all times, because "the shape of the breast, the shape of the bottom, is contrary to the teachings of Sharia".

Kano is among 12 Nigerian states in the country's Muslim-majority north where Islamic Shariah law is practiced. However, Kano city-based radio talk show host Moses Ajebo said there was popular opposition to the move.

"We have received lots of calls and messages from those who say they disagree with the order", Ajebo said. 

The Hisbah had yet to enforce the ban on mannequins' heads, but last year officers shaved the heads of young men sporting "mohawk" hairstyles and told them off for wearing low-hanging trousers.