A devastating explosion rocked the Yongxing Steel Company along the Eastern Bypass in Mariri Quarters, Kano State, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, killing five people and injuring ten others. The blast, initially feared to be a terrorist attack, was caused by an unexploded ordnance (UXO) concealed among scrap metals transported from Yobe State, according to the Kano State Police Command.

The incident, which occurred around 11:30 a.m., sparked panic in the community and prompted a swift response from security and emergency services.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who led first responders to the scene, confirmed the casualties and provided early insights into the cause.

“I received a call that something serious had happened. When I arrived, I found that it was a suspected explosion—possibly a military mortar bomb. Fifteen people were injured, and unfortunately, five died,” Bakori told journalists.

He noted that the explosive material was likely transported by a trailer from Yobe State, but it remains unclear whether the vehicle was operated by military personnel or civilian contractors.

“Preliminary findings suggest the explosive material was being transported by a trailer, but it remains unclear whether the vehicle was carrying military personnel or contractors,” he added.

The police’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) units secured the area and recovered nine UXOs from the site, preventing further detonations.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi, clarified that the explosion resulted from a UXO, not an improvised explosive device (IED) as initially speculated.

“The UXOs had been unknowingly conveyed alongside scrap metals from Yobe State, and one of them accidentally exploded during the process of offloading,” Abdullahi said in a statement.

The explosion occurred while a truck, reportedly loaded with scrap materials from Damaturu, Yobe State, was offloading at the Chinese-owned Yongxing Steel Company.

Ibrahim Udazu, the company’s marketing manager, alerted the police, reporting injuries and requesting immediate intervention. Victims were rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where five succumbed to their injuries, and ten others are receiving treatment.

Bakori stated that it is too early to confirm whether security personnel were among the casualties, emphasizing that a comprehensive investigation is underway.

“We are working diligently to uncover the cause of the explosion and assess the full extent of the damage. More details will be made available as the investigation progresses,” he assured.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with thick smoke rising and residents fleeing in fear.

“It was like a war zone. We heard a loud bang, and everyone started running,” said Musa Ibrahim, a nearby shopkeeper.

The incident, though not linked to insurgency, heightened anxiety in Kano, a state with a history of Boko Haram attacks, including a 2024 mosque bombing in Gezawa that killed one and injured 24.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, addressing the incident, expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and called for stricter safety protocols.

“Meanwhile, the President has sympathised with the families of those killed or injured by an explosion on Saturday morning in Kano,” said his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu tasked relevant authorities with investigating the incident to prevent future tragedies.
The Kano Police urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, providing emergency hotlines (08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926) for reporting suspicious activities.

“The Command urges residents to go about their lawful businesses without worry,” Abdullahi stated.

The investigation continues to probe how UXOs were transported undetected across state lines, raising concerns about the handling of military ordnance in civilian areas.

This tragedy underscores the need for improved regulation of scrap metal transport and heightened security measures in northern Nigeria, where sporadic explosions remain a challenge despite efforts to curb insurgency.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has unveiled plans to raise tariffs for all service providers across its airports, aiming to strengthen its revenue base.

As part of its modernization efforts, the authority will also eliminate cash payments at all points of service, opting instead for a fully automated and contactless payment system.

FAAN revealed that 92% of its revenue currently comes from aeronautical sources, while just 8% is earned from non-aeronautical activities. This figure contrasts sharply with global trends, where non-aeronautical income makes up over 40% in many developed countries.

The agency described this transition as a vital step toward updating its operational structure and creating a more balanced revenue portfolio.

During the Directorate of Commercial and Development Stakeholders Engagement Forum held on Monday in Lagos, the Director of Commercial and Business Development at FAAN, Adebola Agunbiade, said, “We have to find the means to review our tariff in such a way that it’s not too much on you but it’s also helping us to pay our bills.”

She further assured stakeholders that they would be informed ahead of time before any changes are enforced.

“We have done it already, we will be putting out notices on it, but please rest assured that we will not be getting a review on a tariff that probably has been done too recently,” she added.

“But we are reviewing our tariff, and we will also ensure that we notify you early enough so that you, as businesses, can plan towards it,” she said.

Agunbiade highlighted the need for revising lease agreements, noting, “We’ve had a lot of issues around this, and I think it’s mostly because most times when we give out these agreements, people don’t read them to see what the terms are.”

She explained that FAAN, in collaboration with its legal team, has thoroughly reviewed the agreements.

“We’ve introduced new terms. So, when someone applies for a renewal or a new agreement, they’ll notice that some terms have been updated.

“We’ve done our best to make these terms practical and effective,” Agunbiade added.

The FAAN representative also announced a shift to an automated, contactless payment system, stating, “All payments will soon be made online using our cards. It is an airport card. You tap and go. It is a very seamless and straightforward process that will ease the business and payment structure for all our payment systems.

“We have above-the-line and below-the-line revenue-generating platforms. Last year, we realised N2 billion from below-the-line platforms alone.

Agunbiade underscored the potential for investors, stating, “It is a big opportunity for investors, and people can leverage on this.”

She added that FAAN is focusing on implementing reward systems for its workforce.

FAAN’s Managing Director and CEO, Olubunmi Kuku, raised concerns about the high volume of calls and inquiries from service providers regarding payment renewals and applications.

She stressed the benefits of automation, saying, “Automation makes it easier for you to track your payment. We’re going cashless and contactless payment. So it is easier and faster. People can use these cards for payment points across our terminals.

“We have started the pilots in Lagos, we’re going to be rolling this out across other airports, and of course across all of our different lines.

“There are a lot of investments that have gone into our infrastructure upgrades and automation, specifically.

“We will be using ECR devices for all of the payments at the terminals.

“We’re also upgrading some of our parking and automating the tollgate facilities as well. All in a bid to make sure that there’s visibility, there’s transparency, and of course accountability for the funds that we earn for our passengers to understand that it’s going right back into the businesses.”

Kuku also issued a warning that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would withdraw the licences of Bureau de Change operators and car hire service providers found using their roles at the airport as a cover for touting.

She addressed the ongoing efforts to ease traffic congestion around the Lagos airport by removing tankers stationed along the access roads.

“This is not the scene I want to see. We have received orders to take out those tankers. We will be taking drastic measures.”

Kuku emphasized the need for orderliness, stating, “We cannot just have businesses on the side of the road in a manner that is not organised. We will be taking very drastic actions.”

She further pointed out that many of the tankers parked around the airport do not belong there and pose risks.

“A lot of the tankers there do not operate in our environment. They will have to go. They are a security risk, and the scene is obnoxious for an airport environment,” Kuku stated.

On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu brought his tenure to an end as the Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

As a result of this transition, President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone has been appointed as his successor.

Tinubu disclosed this development during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

He said, “It has been a profound honour and privilege to lead this esteemed body, and I remain deeply humbled by the trust and support you have extended to me throughout my channel as I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency, President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone.”

“I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and of commitment for the future of West Africa.”

Prior to handing over, Tinubu voiced his concern about the sluggish progress in operationalising the ECOWAS Standby Force. He called on West African leaders to urgently shift from mere planning to concrete action in the joint effort to combat terrorism and transnational crimes.

“I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its (ECOWAS Standby Force) activation, which is taking longer than desired,” the President said in his opening speech.

President Tinubu advocated for the establishment of a regional standby force and a counter-terrorism centre to combat terrorism in Africa’s most volatile regions in April 2024.

He described the counter-terrorism centre as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building across the continent. Tinubu highlighted ransom-taking and illegal mining as “evil branches” fueled by underlying issues like poverty, inequality, and social injustice, which sustain terrorist networks throughout Africa.

“Key to our collective efforts against terrorism is the urgent need for a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre,” Tinubu stated at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja on April 22, 2024.

Two months later, at the sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Ghana, he noted that ECOWAS was seeking alternative funding sources for its $2.6 billion Standby Force. In August 2024, he reiterated the commitment of member states to finance the force, presenting it as a critical response to terrorism in the Sahel.

However, a year later, reflecting on his two-year tenure as ECOWAS chairman since July 2023, Tinubu voiced frustration over the slow progress of the initiative, as security challenges in the Sahel continued to escalate.

He emphasized the critical need to activate the force swiftly due to the rising insecurity throughout the sub-region.

“The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality. I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired,” the President said.

He pointed out that the threats facing the region were transnational, fueled by dynamic and dangerous networks that disregarded national borders.

“No single nation can, therefore, address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and prioritise a collective approach to secure it,” he added.

Tinubu outlined key achievements during his tenure as leader of the regional bloc. He noted that the newly completed ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, would be vital in supplying equipment and logistics to ECOWAS-deployed forces.

“Last February in Addis Ababa, Nigeria signed the Sixth Agreement with the African Union. With the depot’s completion, Nigeria is committing itself to sea-lift and air-lift arrangements with ECOWAS,” he said.

Tinubu expressed optimism that the current diplomatic efforts with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would eventually result in their reintegration into the regional bloc.

“Under my chairmanship, I deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. I am confident that before too long, they may return to the family,” he said.

The Nigerian President emphasized the need to enhance economic collaboration, strengthen the private sector, and eliminate trade obstacles to fully harness West Africa’s potential.

“Our intra-regional trade remains low, even as we possess the potential to be an economic powerhouse. We must create the enabling environment, empower the private sector, and create the conditions necessary for innovation to flourish,” he said.

He also advocated for the prompt execution of vital regional infrastructure initiatives, such as the West African Gas Pipeline, West African Power Pool, and Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway, describing them as essential for growth and integration.

After taking over leadership, President Bio praised Tinubu for setting a strong foundation in regional engagement, economic revitalization, and peace efforts.

“I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” he said

Recognizing the challenges of the present situation, the Sierra Leonean president observed that West Africa faced a critical juncture, contending with terrorism, illegal arms trafficking, political unrest, and cross-border crime, especially in the Sahel and coastal areas.

“The democratic space is under strain in parts of our region. In some countries, the constitutional order has been disrupted.

“Yet, across West Africa, citizens—especially our youth—are demanding not just elections, but also accountability, transparency, and a fair stake in national life,” he said.

A female suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at a crowded fish market in Konduga, Borno State, Nigeria, on June 20, 2025, killing 12 people and injuring 18 others. The attack, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., targeted a food joint within the market, a bustling hub for local traders and residents.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident, noting that the bomber infiltrated a civilian crowd before triggering the explosion.

“A suicide bomb attack occurred on Friday, 20th June, 2025, at about 2130hrs, at fish market area in Konduga town, Borno State where a female suicide bomber, who had an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strapped to her body, infiltrated a crowd of unsuspecting civilians and detonated the device, resulting in the unfortunate loss of lives and multiple injuries,” said ASP Nahum Daso, the state Police Public Relations Officer.

The blast left a grim scene, with the bomber’s body severely dismembered and only her head recovered for identification.

“We were bargaining a fish when we heard a loud sound that later turns out to be a suicide bomb attack. It was a gory sight,” a local source recounted.

Emergency responders, including the Nigeria Police Force, military, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN) units, were swiftly deployed to secure the area and prevent further attacks.

The injured were rushed to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital for treatment, while ongoing investigations aim to uncover the full details of the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, but security sources point to Boko Haram, whose 16-year insurgency has killed thousands and displaced over 2 million in Borno.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the attack as a “cowardly” act by “remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents who resort to attacks on soft targets as a diversionary tactic.”

In a statement issued on June 22 by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed deep anguish and mourned the victims.

“President Tinubu has expressed anguish over the suicide bombing in Konduga, Borno State, at the weekend. The President mourned those who lost their lives, describing the attack as cowardly,” the statement read.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to eliminate the insurgents, stating, “He urged security agencies to double their efforts in routing remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents who resort to attacks on soft targets as a diversionary tactic.”

Tinubu also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate support to survivors and extended condolences to the Borno State government and its people.

The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed condolences and assured the public of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy.

“The CP urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and security conscious, and to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest security agency,” Daso added.

The attack follows a pattern of Boko Haram’s recent tactics, with similar bombings in Gwoza and Kauri in 2024 claiming dozens of lives.

In a separate incident, Tinubu addressed an explosion at a scrap metal factory in Kano State on June 21, which killed five people and injured ten others.

“Meanwhile, the President has sympathised with the families of those killed or injured by an explosion on Saturday morning in Kano,” Onanuga’s statement noted, emphasizing the need for stricter safety protocols.

Tinubu tasked relevant authorities with investigating the incident to prevent future tragedies.

The Konduga bombing underscores the persistent threat of insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast, despite military efforts to curb Boko Haram’s activities.

Residents, shaken by the attack, called for enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable communities. As investigations continue, the nation mourns, and Tinubu’s pledge for justice resonates, “We will not rest until peace is restored.”