A devastating explosion rocked the Abakpa area of Kaduna State on Tuesday, claiming the lives of two young children and leaving at least three others injured. The incident has thrown the local community into deep mourning and raised serious concerns over safety in the area.
The victims, identified as 13-year-old Imam and six-year-old Nasrin, were playing outside when the explosion occurred. According to eyewitness accounts, the blast struck with sudden force around 2 kilometers away from the old site of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), shaking buildings and sending people running in fear.
“I heard a loud sound like a bomb,” said a local resident who lives near the site of the explosion. “When I came outside, I saw Imam on the ground. I carried him and tried to rush him to the hospital, but he passed away on the way. It was a terrible scene.”
The source of the explosion is still unknown as of the time of this report. Security operatives have cordoned off the area and launched a full investigation into what caused the blast. The Kaduna State Police Command and other relevant agencies are said to be working together to uncover the facts behind the incident.
Three other children, whose identities have not yet been disclosed, sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Health workers at the facility described their condition as stable but said they would require close monitoring over the next few days.
The explosion has sparked fear and confusion among residents of Abakpa, a densely populated neighborhood that lies within Kaduna North Local Government Area. Many families in the area live in tightly packed compounds and small houses, making the impact of such an event more devastating.
Parents have kept their children indoors, while community leaders and religious figures have called for calm and unity during this difficult time. Local residents are urging authorities to quickly identify the cause of the explosion and take steps to prevent a repeat occurrence.
“We are scared. No one knows what caused it or if it could happen again,” said another resident, who asked not to be named. “Our children are no longer safe, even just playing in front of the house.”
While the Nigerian Defence Academy lies not too far from the explosion site, there has been no official indication that the military institution was in any way involved or targeted. However, the proximity of the blast to such a sensitive location has heightened the urgency of the investigation.
This is not the first time an explosion has occurred in Kaduna. In the past decade, the state has witnessed multiple bombings, some linked to insurgent activities and others caused by accidental detonations of stored explosives or fuel.
In one such incident in 2021, an explosion in the Sabon Gari area of Zaria killed several people after a gas cylinder reportedly caught fire. In 2014, twin bomb blasts rocked central Kaduna, killing over 80 people in an attack linked to Boko Haram insurgents.
However, what makes Tuesday’s incident especially painful is the young age of the victims and the uncertainty surrounding what exactly caused the tragedy.
As of press time, the Kaduna State Government had not issued a formal statement regarding the explosion. However, sources at the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) confirmed that emergency response teams were on the ground and providing assistance to victims and their families.
As families prepare to bury their loved ones, the larger Kaduna community is left asking tough questions: What caused the explosion? Could it have been prevented? And what is being done to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
For now, the community is focused on healing and trying to come to terms with the tragedy. But until the authorities provide clear answers and ensure better protection for vulnerable communities, fear and uncertainty may continue to linger.
Kaduna residents are hoping for swift action from security agencies and transparent communication from government officials in the days ahead.
“We can’t keep losing our children like this,” one grieving mother said quietly, her voice heavy with sorrow. “All we want is to feel safe in our own homes.
