A 26-year-old Nigerian tailor who went viral on social media last weekend after he put himself up for sale to escape “poverty” has been arrested by the state of Kano’s Islamic police.

Speaking to BBC, the Commander of the state’s Islamic police, Harun Ibn Sina, said they apprehended Aliyu Na Idris because his actions were in contravention of their religious beliefs.

“Yes we arrested him on Tuesday and he spent the night with us, what he did is forbidden in Islam, you can’t try to sell yourself no matter your condition or situation,” Sina said.

Prior to his arrest, Aliyu had told journalists he was selling himself for 20 million naira ($49,000) because he was struggling financially. The tailor also added he was going to sincerely serve whoever bought him.

“The decision to sell myself was due to poverty, I plan to give my parents 10 million naira ($24,000; £18,000) when I eventually get a buyer, pay five million naira ($12,000; £9,000) as tax to the government, give two million naira ($5,000; £4,000) to anyone who helped me get a buyer and keep the remaining for daily upkeep,” Aliyu said.

He said that he initially presented himself for sale in Kaduna, but moved to Kano after he could not find a buyer.