Kano Explosion Kills Five, Leaves Ten Injured

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.