The UXOs had been unknowingly conveyed alongside scrap metals from Yobe State
The Kano State Police Command has clarified that the explosion at Yongxing Steel Company on Saturday, June 21, was caused by an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), not an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) as initially speculated.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi, said the post-blast investigation conducted by the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit revealed that the UXOs were unknowingly transported with scrap metals from Yobe State.
“One of them was accidentally exploded during the process of offloading,” he said.
The blast claimed five lives and injured several others, who are currently receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
“Furthermore, in addition to the earlier 7 recovered UXOs, 2 UXOs were later recovered from the scene, bringing it to a total of nine,” Abdullahi added.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged the public to remain calm and report suspicious activities to authorities.