Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Kano State Government has imposed an immediate ban on the importation of scrap materials from northeastern states following a deadly explosion that claimed five lives.
Announcing the measure on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, AVM Ibrahim Umaru (retd.), said, “We have traced the origin of recent explosives to scrap brought in from the Northeast. This ban is a preventive measure to protect lives and property.”
The commissioner revealed that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in the June 30 blast were hidden among imported metal waste.
“We are not banning the scrap business entirely,” he clarified. “But importing from high-risk areas without scrutiny endangers everyone.”
One person died and six others sustained injuries in Monday’s explosion at a scrapyard in Kofar Dawanau, Dala LGA. A preliminary bomb unit report cited an old grenade as the cause.
The deceased, Hamisu Uzairu, 55, died at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital. The Police are investigating, but no official statement has been released yet.
