The Kano State Government has imposed an immediate ban on the importation of scrap materials from Nigeria’s insurgency-hit Northeast following a deadly explosion that claimed at least 15 lives in the Gidan Karfe area of the state.
The tragic incident, which occurred at a scrap yard along the Eastern Bypass in Kano, sent shockwaves through the city as emergency responders recovered the bodies of workers killed in the blast.
Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion was triggered by undetected explosive devices hidden within imported scrap—suspected to have originated from the Boko Haram-affected Northeastern region.
Announcing the ban on Tuesday, Kano State Commissioner for Internal Security, Ibrahim Umaru, said the decision was made to prevent future tragedies and protect residents from similar threats.
“It has become necessary for the state government to act swiftly to avoid further loss of lives,” Umaru stated during a high-level meeting with the Scrap Dealers Association of Nigeria in Kano. “Some of the scrap being transported from the Northeast contains remnants of explosive devices, unknowingly brought into the state by unsuspecting dealers.”
The Northeast has been a hotbed of insurgency for over a decade, with countless communities exposed to conflict-related remnants such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), artillery shells, and military-grade ordnance—often buried in civilian infrastructure.
Commissioner Umaru emphasized that the government will now work closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to monitor and regulate the movement of scrap materials into Kano. He also stressed the need for increased vigilance within the scrap trade industry.
In response, Alhaji Aminu Hassan, Chairman of the Scrap Dealers Association of Northern Nigeria, expressed full support for the ban and called for immediate capacity building for dealers to identify dangerous materials.
“We welcome the state government’s intervention and urge that training be provided for our members so they can detect and avoid hazardous scrap,” he said. “We’ve also directed all members to immediately stop sourcing scrap from high-risk, conflict-affected areas.”
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos at the Gidan Karfe explosion site, with buildings rattled and thick plumes of smoke filling the air.
Rescue officials say several other people sustained injuries, while investigations are ongoing to trace the origin and exact nature of the explosive materials involved.
Security experts have long warned about the risk of unregulated scrap movement from conflict zones, highlighting the potential for tragic accidents or even deliberate sabotage.
The Kano incident has reignited calls for stricter national oversight and enhanced collaboration between security agencies and informal sectors.
