Two children feared dead after a loud blast shook the Josawa Road area in Abakpa, Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Tuesday morning, leaving several others injured and the community in mourning.
The tragic incident occurred around 8:30 a.m., and although initial reports pointed to an explosion, police authorities have stated that the cause was a discharge from a locally made firearm, commonly referred to as a Dane gun.
According to residents, the blast was sudden and terrifying. One eyewitness, who did not want to be named, described the moment he heard the sound.
“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.
Initial rumors spread across the area that two children—Imam, aged 13, and Nasrin, aged 6—were killed in the blast, while three others were said to be injured.
However, the Kaduna State Police Command has clarified that the deceased was a 12-year-old boy identified as Abubakar Muhammed. They also confirmed that seven others were injured, not three as earlier reported.
Police spokesperson DSP Mansir Hassan noted that the Police Anti-Bomb Squad carried out an on-site investigation and found that it was not a bomb blast, but the accidental firing of a Dane gun.
“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 police statement read.
Top security officials, including the Commissioner of Police, the Garrison Commander, the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of Kaduna North LGA, visited the site to assess the situation. Authorities have launched further investigations to understand the full circumstances behind the tragic event.
