In an interview with BBC Pidgin, the Commander-General of the board, Sheik Harun Ibn-Sina, said that the young man was arrested because it was forbidden in Islam for one to sell himself for any reason.
The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 26-year-old Aliyu Na Idris, who put himself up for sale for N20million.
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, the Commander-General of the board, Sheik Harun Ibn-Sina, said that the young man was arrested because it was forbidden in Islam for one to sell himself for any reason.
Sina said, “Yes we arrested him yesterday (Tuesday) night and he spent the night with us but I haven’t spoken witb him but today (Wednesday) I will meet with him to hear from him.
"In Islam, it is forbidden for a person to put up himself for sale for any reason, I will give more details after I meet with him."
Recall that a video had gone viral on social media last weekend showing the young man, carrying a placard that reads “This man is for sale for N20 million".
The Kaduna State indigene who is also a tailor said he has been on the streets for five days looking for who will buy him.
He disclosed that he initially presented himself for sale in Kaduna, but moved to Kano after he couldn’t find a buyer.
Aliyu said; “Even though many people have offered me various prices of N10million, N5million and N300,000 in Kano, I refused because the amount is less than what I expected.”
He noted that since his tailoring business failed due to the financial crisis, making him lose his customers and becoming financially handicapped, he decided to present himself for sale at N20million only because he had no other means of survival.
On what he would do with the money, Aliyu said; “I will give my parents N10million; I will give N5million as tax to the state where I was bought, the person who helped in advertising me will be rewarded with N2million while the remaining N3million will be kept for me under the care of the person who buys me for my daily upkeep.”
Admitting that he knew he would lose his freedom if bought, he added that he was ready to face whatever came off his decision. Aliyu also said if nobody bought him in Kano, he would move to another state to sell himself.