Kano State Police Command has issued an official statement clarifying that Saturday’s fatal explosion at Yongxing Steel Company resulted from accidental detonation of military ordnance, not a terrorist attack as initially feared.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer Hussaini Abdullahi announced the findings of a comprehensive post-blast investigation conducted by the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit Personnel following the Saturday morning incident at the facility along Ring Road, Mariri Quarters.
According to the police statement, the explosion occurred at approximately 11:30 AM and claimed five lives while injuring several others who are currently receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. The official investigation has definitively ruled out terrorism concerns that had initially circulated following the blast.
In his official statement, Abdullahi explained the cause of the explosion: “Following the incident of explosion at Yongxing Steel Company located along Ring Road, Mariri Quarters, Kano, at about 11:30 AM on Saturday, the 21st of June, 2025, a post-blast investigation by the command’s team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit Personnel reveals the explosion came from an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), NOT from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) as was initially speculated.”
The police spokesman detailed how the dangerous ordnance came to be at the steel facility, stating that “The UXOs had been unknowingly conveyed alongside scrap metals from Yobe State, and one of them was accidentally exploded during the process of offloading.”
“Following the incident of explosion at Yongxing Steel Company located along Ring Road, Mariri Quarters, Kano, at about 11:30 AM on Saturday, the 21st of June, 2025, a post-blast investigation by the command’s team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit Personnel reveals the explosion came from an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), NOT from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) as was initially speculated,” Abdullahi explained.
The investigation dispelled earlier concerns about potential terrorist activity, with authorities emphasizing that the explosion represented an industrial accident rather than a deliberate attack. Specialized EOD-CBRN personnel conducted thorough examinations of the blast site to determine the exact cause and nature of the explosive materials involved.
Abdullahi detailed how the dangerous ordnance came to be present at the facility, stating that “The UXOs had been unknowingly conveyed alongside scrap metals from Yobe State, and one of them was accidentally exploded during the process of offloading.”
The security sweep of the area yielded additional concerning discoveries, with bomb disposal teams recovering a total of nine unexploded ordnances from the scene. Initial reports indicated seven UXOs had been found, but subsequent searches uncovered two additional devices, highlighting the serious safety risks posed by military remnants mixed with commercial scrap materials.
“Furthermore, in addition to the earlier 7 recovered UXOs, 2 UXOs were later recovered from the scene, bringing it to a total of nine that have been recovered,” the police spokesman confirmed.
State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori expressed condolences to families affected by the tragedy while providing updates on the victims’ conditions. All injured individuals are receiving medical treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, with authorities monitoring their recovery progress.
“The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, extends his condolences to the families of the 5 persons who lost their lives in the blast and prays for the speedy recovery of others injured, all of whom are currently receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano,” Abdullahi stated.
Authorities moved quickly to reassure the public following the investigation’s conclusions, emphasizing that the incident does not indicate broader security threats to the region. Police officials urged residents to continue their normal activities while remaining vigilant about suspicious circumstances.
“Premised on this, the command urges members of the public to remain calm and avoid unnecessary panic, as there is no imminent security threat,” the police statement noted.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges related to unexploded military ordnance contamination in northeastern Nigeria, where years of conflict have left dangerous remnants scattered across the region. The discovery underscores the importance of proper screening procedures for scrap metal operations and the need for enhanced safety protocols when handling materials from conflict-affected areas.
Police have encouraged community cooperation in maintaining security awareness, requesting that residents report any suspicious activities or objects to authorities through established emergency communication channels.
