Kofar Dukawuya, one of the 15 ancient gates of the old Kano city, which is believed to have been established over 400 years ago, has collapsed following the heavy rainfall on Friday.
Daily News 24 reports that Kofar Dukawuya collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, according to residents close to the area.
The gate is located around BUK road, in Gwale local government area of Kano state, and connects to vital parts of the city in the neighbourhood.
A short video clip posted on social media shows a man trying to evacuate the pile of mud debris that has accumulated and blocked the gate’s entrance.
Some social media users expressed shock over the development and called on the Kano state government to rebuild the pre-historic monument.
“It is long over due for the government to renovate this gate due to its age and historical significance.
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“I hope the debris didn’t fall on anyone,” Aminu Stoner wrote on his Facebook page.
On his part, Muntaka Muhammad wrote: “It has collapsed at the right time because the governor (Abba Yusuf) would fix it”.
The ancient gate is believed to have been built between 1618 and 1623 CE during the reign of Sarkin Kano Muhammadu Nazaki.
According to legend, Kofar Dukawuya was said to have been named after a farmer called “Dauka Wuya” who became famous for his incredible physical strength.
It was claimed that the said farmer, on whose farmland the gate was built, was so strong that he was able to do the job of 10 men in a day!
This unbelievable feat drew the attention of praise-singers who extolled his strength as he fetched large amount of farm produce on his neck.
Dukawuya was one of three other ancient gates in the city that have not been rebuilt by successive governments.
The others are Kofar Kansakali, built around 1095 and 1135 CE and Kofar Waika, believed to have been constructed in 1112 CE.
During the second administration of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from 2011 to 2015, a majority of the Kano ancient gates had been rebuilt.
Mr Kwankwaso had even attempted to rebuild the ancient Kano City wall (Ganuwa or Badala) before his tenure elapsed.
Some of the historical gates that were reconstructed at the time include Kofar Dan Agundi, Kofar Famfo, Kofar Nasarawa, Kofar Na’isa, Kofar Mata, Kofar Wambai and Kofar Mazugal.
