For decades now, it has remained a puzzle to many people as to where exactly Kafanchan which many people reference when citing long distances or locations is located.
The mention of Kafanchan, has never departed from the mouths of people making comparisons about journeys and places. While some think that Kafanchan is a non-existent location only God knows where, others, who are conversant with the exact location always say, “Kafanchan” is located in Nigeria and not in Europe.
The writer of this piece was once a victim of this. I remember growing up when people around me would always ask where the food was coming from, Kafanchan or where?
While the question remained a puzzle, I never cared to ask in more specific terms where Kafanchan is located.
Apart from yours sincerely, a lot of Nigerians, were as at then, novices whenever the name “Kafanchan” was mentioned.
I recall a student during English class in secondary school emphatically telling the teacher that Kafanchan was in Europe…all to the amusement of classmates who wondered where the student got the effrontery to challenge the teacher amid his corrections that Kafanchan is not located in Europe.
Jokes aside, have you ever wondered where Kafanchan is located? Nigeria or somewhere in Europe.
Kafanchan is not located in Europe but in Nigeria. It is a town located in the southern part of Kaduna State, Nigeria, and known for being a major railway town and houses a tourist site.
The town is a commercial hub which has diverse population. In fact, it was stated that the development of Kafanchan was largely due to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) station built in 1927.
While many would assert that Kafanchan is Europe in Nigeria, it is also heartwarming to know that the town has both natural features, such as a waterfall called “River Wonderful,” which attracts people from different parts of the world for sight seeing. The town also faces challenges, including being a site of conflict.
Other features Kafanchan is known for include: Railway junction point for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which connects lines like: Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kuru, and Maiduguri.
The town as at the last population census in 2007, had an estimated population of 83,092. The population of Kafanchan is diverse, with the indigenous Fantswam people alongside communities from various ethnic and religious groups, including Hausa/Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba living today.
The ancient city serves as a commercial hub for the Southern Kaduna region while the town has a notable waterfall known as “River Wonderful”.
Kafanchan has witnessed violent conflicts in the past, houses tourists sites, and encourages commerce. The area has experienced significant security challenges, including banditry and terrorism.
Attacks on churches have been recorded severally while there has also been attacks involving the kidnapping of priests among others.
All these culminated in striking of a peace accord in 2016. Kafanchan Peace Declaration was signed to promote non-violent conflict resolution and peaceful co-existence in Southern Kaduna by addressing the institutional divisions within the communities.
The puzzle as to whether the actual location of Kafanchan seem to be over especially with the popular Kafanchan Peace Declaration signed in 2016.
Suffice it to say that with the huge tourism attraction provided by “River Wonderful”, Kafanchan is indeed Europe existing in Nigeria.
