Kano Hisbah shuts down ‘holy water’ site after footprint claims

The Kano State Hisbah Board has intervened to dismantle an unofficial pilgrimage site in the Dakata Industrial Area after a crowd of Muslim faithful began trooping there to drink mud water believed to bear the footprint of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The site, recently cleared for railway development, gained viral attention when a muddy imprint appeared on the ground, alongside water seeping from the area.

Word quickly spread that the mark resembled the Prophet’s footprint, sparking a wave of visits from people seeking healing and spiritual blessings.

Hundreds reportedly gathered to bathe in, drink, and collect the muddy water, convinced it possessed divine powers.

Responding to the situation, Deputy Commander of the Kano Hisbah Board, Muhahideen Aminudeen, confirmed that the board acted swiftly after receiving reports of mass gatherings at the site. He dismissed the claims as “fabricated and dangerous,” stressing that there is no religious or historical basis to support such beliefs.

“Some mischief makers circulated this bogus story that the place is a holy site where the Prophet set foot,” he said.

“Unfortunately, many people who lack sound knowledge of Islam were misled. We deployed officers to the scene to educate the people and dismantle the site to prevent further harm.”

Aminudeen emphasised that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never visited Africa during his lifetime, let alone Kano.

He urged the public to seek authentic Islamic knowledge to avoid falling prey to such deceptive claims.

“This kind of misinformation can lead people astray and even pose health risks,” he added. “We call on parents to ensure their children are properly educated in Islamic teachings.”

He also cautioned residents against consuming the water from the site, warning that it could be contaminated due to the area’s proximity to industrial activities.

The board said it was investigating the origin of the false claim.