GistNexus – April 22, 2025.
In a dramatic turn of events that held Kano State spellbound in the past week, the Kano State Hisbah Board has demolished an impromptu pilgrimage site that mushroomed in the Dakata Industrial Layout on the strength of unconfirmed rumors that the place housed the footprint of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The incident, which attracted widespread interest on social media and within the local communities, took place following the realization of a muddy impression on the ground, along with water oozing out from the location.
The footprint-like impression, found on a plot of land newly cleared for railway construction, soon became the focus of intense religious activity. Within hours, hundreds and soon thousands of locals and residents from nearby towns began making their way to the site, many believing that the water and the site had miraculous healing powers. Viral videos and photos online depicted men, women, and children fighting to get an opportunity at the muddy pool, with many filling the water into plastic bottles, drinking from cupped hands, bathing in it, and even performing ablutions.
Some prostrated in prayer, some smeared the mud on their bodies, while others were seen carrying out ceremonial acts of worship, as though the site was a sacred spiritual ground. Locals explained that people with various ailments came to Dakata, hoping the muddy water would cure them. “Villagers are coming from far and wide, either to drink the water, draw it, or bathe in it. They believe it heals strange diseases,” said a resident who declined to be named.
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The site soon began to resemble a permanent religious encampment. Entire families were reported to have relocated to the outskirts, setting up temporary camps to be close to the purported holy site. The hysteria was fueled by unverified claims of miraculous healings and amplified by viral social media accounts that described the site as a God-blessed location. The lack of any official religious or scientific validation did not stem the tide of pilgrims flocking to Dakata.
Hisbah Board Swiftly Demolishes Site
Reacting promptly to the development, the Kano State Hisbah Board, a religious police force responsible for the enforcement of Shariah law in the state, was quick to demolish the emerging pilgrimage site. Deputy Commander of the Board, Muhahideen Aminudeen, stated that the agency swung into action as soon as it got information and intelligence that there were spiritual activities on the site.
Citing the Prophet’s footprint claims as spurious and dangerous, Aminudeen lamented that misinformation had confused large segments of the population. “Some mischievous individuals propagated this false story that the location is a holy site where the Prophet set foot,” he said at a media briefing. “Unfortunately, many people who lack proper understanding of Islam were misled.”. We deployed officers to the site to educate the people and dismantle the site to prevent any further injuries.
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The Deputy Commander underscored that there is no historical, religious, or factual basis for the claim that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ever visited Africa, let alone Kano. Relying on Islamic teachings and history, he explained that the Prophet was born, lived, and completed his mission entirely within the Arabian Peninsula. “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never visited Africa during his lifetime,” he noted emphatically.
Hisbah authorities, upon arrival, carried out mass sensitization, urging pilgrims to disperse and cautioning them against indulging in un-Islamic activities. Temporary shelters that had begun to spring up around the vicinity were also destroyed to discourage regrouping. Importantly, no arrests were made during the operation, with the Hisbah Board opting to focus more on public enlightenment rather than the taking of punitive measures.
Public Health Issue and Advisory Not to Drink Water
Aside from religious legitimacy issues, the Hisbah Board also raised serious alarms over potential public health issues associated with the site. Aminudeen warned that the dirty water being consumed, bathed in, and scooped up by pilgrims could be seriously contaminated due to the site’s proximity to industrial zones. Being a current site for heavy manufacturing and construction ventures, the Dakata Industrial Area poses significant environmental risks, including soil and water contamination.
“Such misinformation can confuse people and even lead to health risks,” Aminudeen alerted. “We call on parents to ensure their children are properly educated in Islamic teachings. In the meantime, we ask all residents to refrain from consuming water from unverified sources to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.”
Experts familiar with Dakata’s industrial history warn that groundwater in the area could contain harmful chemicals or pathogens as a result of years of industrialization. Drinking or bathing in the water, therefore, puts individuals at risk of serious diseases ranging from gastrointestinal infections to skin disease and other more chronic health complications.
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Kano health officials are yet to issue an official advisory, but already medical professionals are warning that the incident has the potential to trigger a public health crisis if those who scooped the water are permitted to continue using it. It was in light of these risks that Hisbah officials at the scene were physically restraining individuals from scooping the murky water and distributing educational leaflets outlining the hazards of consuming contaminated water.
Investigations Underway to Determine Source of False Claims
Even as the ground situation appears to have been contained, the Kano State Hisbah Board has expressed that actions are underway to determine the source of the false claims which triggered the riot. Aminudeen stated that there is a need to know the individuals or groups of people that led to the unrest by circulating the rumor to prevent such cases in the future.
“People who create and spread lies of this magnitude are not only misinforming the public, they are endangering lives,” he said. “We are determined to trace the origin of these accusations and take appropriate legal action if necessary.”
No suspects have yet been named, but the rumor may possibly have been deliberately crafted by scam individuals to exploit the religious sentiments of the public for financial gains. In similar cases that have happened in the past in other parts of Nigeria, fake spiritual sites have been created to extort donations or sell alleged holy water to individuals seeking healing for all manner of diseases.
Religious leaders in Kano have also addressed the issue, calling for restraint and adherence to true Islamic teaching. Denunciations of the people who created and circulated the false story have come from some imams and scholars, with Muslims being asked to consult authentic scholars and recognized religious authorities before accepting out-of-the-ordinary stories.
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“This should be an eye-opener to all of us,” Kano-based prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ibrahim Lawan stated. “Islam is simple and genuine knowledge is available. We have to enlighten ourselves and our people so as not to be deceived by fabricated tales.”
Hisbah Board renewed its commitment to safeguarding the moral and religious integrity of Kano State, promising to sustain the monitoring for such instances. In the meantime, citizens have been urged to report any suspected religious activities or gatherings that appear to exploit people’s sentiments under false pretense.
As the dust settles on the demolished site in Dakata, the government is optimistic that the experience in this case will serve to galvanize the public against falling prey to sensationalism and false religious claims. The quick response of Hisbah, coupled with constant public enlightenment campaigns, is considered central to sustaining both the health and faith of the people of Kano State.
Reported by GistNexus Team and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka