Following a recent bomb explosion that claimed five lives and left many others injured, the Kano State government has placed an immediate ban on the importation of scrap materials from northwestern States including Borno and Yobe.
The Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, AVM Ibrahim Umaru (Rtd), who announced the ban at a press conference on Wednesday, linked the recent incidents to metal waste transported into Kano from the insurgency-hit Northeast.
“In light of the recent bomb blasts that tragically claimed five lives and injured several others, we have traced the origin of the explosives to scrap materials brought in from the Northeast,” Umaru said. “That region has long been affected by Boko Haram activities, and we cannot afford to take any chances.”
According to the commissioner, preliminary findings show the improvised explosive devices used in the attacks were hidden among imported scrap.
“This directive is a preventive measure to protect the lives and property of our citizens,” he said. “All dealers in scrap materials are hereby instructed to immediately stop importing such items from the Northeast. Anyone found violating this order will face the full weight of the law.”
Umaru explained that the government is not shutting down the scrap trade entirely but is targeting imports from areas flagged as security risks.
“We are not banning the business of scrap entirely,” he said. “But bringing them in from high-risk zones without thorough scrutiny endangers everyone.”
Recall that one person was confirmed dead and six others injured following an explosion on Monday evening 30th June 2025) at a scrapyard in Kofar Dawanau, Dala local government area of Kano State.
Read also: Sylva donates N5m to Victims of Mosque Building Collapse in Yobe
The blast, which occurred around 5:30 pm, happened as workers were offloading metal scraps from a semi-trailer with registration number PKM 709 ZY.
According to a preliminary report by the Bomb Disposal Unit, the explosion was caused by an old hand grenade that had likely been mixed with other metallic items brought to the yard.
The deceased was identified as 55-year-old Hamisu Uzairu, a labourer from PRP Kwanar Jaba Quarters in Nasarawa Local Government Area. He was pronounced dead at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano.
The six others injured in the explosion included Sani Ahmed, Najib Sani, Jabir Tijani, Wada Abdullahi, Huzaifa Yusha’u, and Bilyaminu Sani were also treated at the same hospital for varying degrees of injuries.
Owner of the Kofar Dawanau Mini Scrapyard, Jamilu Zakari Salisu, reported the incident to the Dala Divisional Police Headquarters, leading to the area being cordoned off for investigation.
Police have begun probing the source of the unexploded device, but as of the time of this report, no official statement had been issued.
Read also: NLC disagrees with Kano Govt over 247 ghost workers’ claim
The State Police Command had yet to make any official statement on the incident.
Monday’s incident came just a week after another explosion on June 21 at the Hotoro Eastern Bypass area of Kano, where at least five people were killed and 15 injured.
