Zaria Local Government Council in collaboration with Kaduna State Government had said it will demolish all structures erected on the historical Zaria city walls.
Abubakar Rilwan, an adviser to the council chairman on media and publicity, made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Zaria, Kaduna State on Wednesday.
He said that all those who erected structures on the city wall, locally known as Ganuwa, must remove them within the next two weeks or be demolished.
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The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that Rilwanu spoke on the sideline of presentation of certificates to contractors awarded infrastructure projects in Anguwan Juma ward of the area.
NAN reports that the walls were built between the 13th and 14th century and circumnavigate Zaria city over roughly 16 kilometres with eight magnificent gates leading into the city.
Currently, only seven gates are still in use.
Zaria city walls remain one of the most impressive monuments in Northern Nigeria and show the great ancient architectural skills of the people.
According to Mr Rilwan, the council and the state government would reclaim the walls from those he described as unpatriotic who had abused and bastardised the structure.
He assured that the directive was not to witch hunt anybody but restore the lost glory of the ancient city.
Mr Rilwanu said: “Some unpatriotic people have been destroying the ancient city walls.
“The city wall is a place of tourists attraction, and in some countries, such are a source of revenue.
“The council in collaboration with state government have concluded arrangement to rebuild the ancient city walls to enable Zaria city regain its pride and keep its historical records intact.”
He added that the council in collaboration with Zazzau Emirate Council would set up a committee to ascertain the extent of damage to the city walls, to guide the government in rebuilding the historic structure.
NAN
