Four children from the same family were injured on Wednesday morning when a tear gas canister exploded at Bakin Kwata, in the Sharada area of Kano metropolis.
The incident happened around 7:50 a.m., according to a statement by the Kano State Police Command, which confirmed the explosion and the injuries.
The victims, identified as Khadeeja Rabiu (17), Fatima (15), Alamin (11), and Suleiman (3), were immediately rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital for medical treatment.
Khadeeja sustained serious injuries to her right hand and other parts of her body, while her younger siblings suffered minor bruises and choking from the smoke released by the device.
The police explained that the tear gas canister, which had been discarded, was unknowingly picked up from a nearby refuse dump by one of the children. It exploded while being handled by Khadeeja, causing panic in the area due to the loud sound and the thick, peppery smoke that followed.
The Bomb Disposal Unit of the police was quickly deployed to the scene to cordon off the area and carry out a post-blast investigation.
Items recovered from the scene include the canister handle, safety lock pin, and rotating guard. The remnants of the device continued to emit a strong peppery odour hours after the explosion.
Police authorities confirmed that the surrounding refuse dump was screened for other dangerous materials, and no additional threats were found.
The police have since begun community sensitisation, warning residents — especially children — not to pick up unknown objects from garbage sites or public places, as they may pose serious risks.
