A devastating explosion rocked the Abakpa area of Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of two children; Imam, 13, and Nasrin, 6.
Three other residents were also injured in the blast, which occurred adjacent to the old site of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
This is as the Kaduna police command clarified that the incident, which resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy was caused by a dane gun discharge.
But according to an eyewitness, the explosion occurred without warning, sending shockwaves through the community.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the moment he heard the blast.
“I was taking my bath when I heard the explosion and ran out to see what had happened.
“I saw one of the affected victims, Imam, and tried to take him to the hospital but he died before we got to the hospital,” he said.
The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined, but security agencies are on the scene investigating.
Details are still sketchy at the time of this report, but the incident has caused fears in the area as residents are still in shock
The explosion has left the community in mourning, with many expressing their condolences to the families of the victims. The incident has also raised concerns about safety and security in the area, with residents calling for increased vigilance and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command while reacting to the incident, said the incident occurred on Josawa Road, Abakpa, Kaduna, on April 22, 2025, was not an explosion, but rather the discharge of a locally made firearm (Dane gun) that resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy, Abubakar Muhammed.
In a statement, the state police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, the Garrison Commander, the State Director of the Department of State Services, and the Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government all visited the scene and conducted a thorough assessment.
“The incident claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Muhammed of Josawa Road.
“Additionally, seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention,” the statement said.
Hassan added that preliminary investigations by the Officer in charge of the Police Anti-Bomb Squad indicate that the incident was caused by the discharge of a Dane gun.
The police assured the public that further developments will be promptly and transparently communicated.
“The Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” the statement said.
The incident has raised concerns about the proliferation of Dane guns and the need for stricter control measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The police are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure that justice is served.
The statement partly read, “On 22nd April 2025 at about 0830hrs, the Police received a distress call regarding a suspected blast in the Josawa Road area of Abakpa, Kaduna.
“In response, a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Kawo Division, was immediately dispatched to the scene. The incident claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Muhammed of Josawa Road.
“Additionally, seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
“The Commissioner of Police, Garrison Commander, State Director, Department of State Services (DSS) and the chairman of Kaduna North Local Government have all visited the scene, and a thorough on-site assessment was carried out.
“Contrary to initial reports, experts confirmed that the incident was not an explosion. Preliminary investigations conducted by the Officer in charge of the Police Anti Bomb Squad indicate that a locally made firearm (Dane gun) was discharged, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of the young boy.
“Further investigations and assessments are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. The Police Command assures the public that further developments will be communicated promptly and transparently.
“The Command extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Report indicate that the incident has sparked fears in the community, with residents still reeling from the shock. While the investigation is ongoing, it’s worth noting that Kaduna has experienced violent incidents in the past.
In 2012, a suicide bombing targeting Christians on Easter Sunday resulted in 38 fatalities.
In January 2020, a gas explosion occurred in the Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna metropolis due to illegal decanting of Liquefied Petroleum Gas into cylinders, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
The PUNCH
