The Bauchi State Sharia commission has banned praise-singing, card-playing and snake-charming as well as playing with wild animals such as hyena and monkeys.

It also banned the reckless use of knives in the public, said a statement by the secretary of the commission, Alhaji Abduhamid Mohammed.

Offenders are liable on conviction to imprisonment for one year and a fine of not less than N5,000, including 20 strokes of the cane, it said.

The statement said that "Sections 3, 6 and 7 of the state Sharia Penal Code (amended) 2001 prohibit such offences", adding that the commission would embark on an enlightenment campaign to keep the public abreast of the existing laws.

In a related development, an appeal has been made to the commission to assist in checking prostitution, gambling and card-playing in Alkaleri Local Government.

The Chairman of Islamic Affairs and Project Monitoring Committee of the local government, Alhaji Liman Futuk, made the plea while speaking with newsmen.