A powerful explosion at a scrap metal depot in the Sharada area of Kano has left five people dead and fifteen others injured, in what authorities suspect was the accidental detonation of a military-grade explosive device.
The blast occurred early Saturday morning at a busy site on the Eastern Bypass, where workers were reportedly handling materials when the device exploded.
Victims were rushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where five were confirmed dead. Ten others are currently undergoing treatment for injuries ranging from burns to shrapnel wounds.
According to preliminary findings by local authorities, the explosion was caused by a military explosive device — believed to be either an old shell or grenade — that had been concealed within a load of scrap metal.
Officials say the device may have been unknowingly collected during metal scavenging operations and transported to the depot without detection.
Security personnel quickly cordoned off the scene as bomb disposal units and forensic teams began investigating the source of the ordnance. The Nigerian Army and police are working in collaboration to trace the device’s origin and determine how a weapon of such lethality ended up in a civilian environment.
“The presence of an unexploded military device in a commercial area is extremely alarming,” a spokesperson for Kano State emergency services told reporters.
“This tragedy underscores the urgent need for tighter regulation and inspection of scrap yards, especially in regions previously affected by conflict.”
Local officials are urging residents to report any suspicious materials found in scrap or metal salvage operations and to avoid tampering with unidentified objects.
They also reiterated the importance of public cooperation as the investigation continues.
This incident adds to a growing list of safety concerns in northern Nigeria, where remnants of past security operations have occasionally resurfaced in civilian zones, posing risks to unsuspecting communities.
Authorities have promised a full review of depot safety protocols and are considering launching an awareness campaign to prevent similar tragedies in the future
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