KEY POINTS

• An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded in the early hours of April 22, 2025, in Abakpa, Kaduna, killing one minor and injuring six others, including three minors.

• The explosion, which occurred around 8 a.m., caused panic in the densely populated area, with the injured victims rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

• Security forces, including bomb disposal experts and police, arrived promptly at the scene, cordoned off the area, and launched an investigation into the incident.

A quiet morning in Abakpa, a densely populated area of Kaduna North Local Government Area, was shattered by terror on Tuesday when a suspected Improvised Explosive Device, IED, detonated near a residential compound, killing one child and injuring six others.

The IED explosion, which occurred around 8 a.m. on April 22, 2025, sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents in a state of panic and despair.

According to intelligence sources, the blast from the IED was sudden and violent, with debris scattering across the area. “It sounded like thunder, but much louder. Then we heard screams—people running in every direction,” recounted a local shopkeeper who asked not to be named.

Zagazola reports that the deceased victim was identified as 9-year-old Abubakar Mohammed, who was playing near the site of the explosion when it occurred. The six injured victims, including three other children, were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

Eyewitnesses describe chaos as security forces scramble to respond

A resident who witnessed the incident but spoke on condition of anonymity described the horrifying scene. “There was smoke everywhere, and people were crying for help. Some were bleeding, others were just lying on the ground,” the witness said. The explosion left the community in a state of confusion, with many fearing further attacks.

Security forces, including bomb disposal experts and police operatives, swiftly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area to prevent unauthorized access and begin their investigation. “Our priority is to secure the area and ensure no additional threats remain,” a police officer at the scene told reporters. Authorities have not yet determined whether the explosion was accidental or intentional, but counterterrorism units have been deployed to assist in the probe.

Kaduna State has been a hotspot for violence in recent years, with frequent clashes between armed groups, kidnappings, and occasional bombings. The latest incident has reignited fears among residents about their safety. “We don’t feel safe anymore. The government needs to do more to protect us,” said a local community leader who declined to be named.

As investigators work to uncover the origins of the explosive device, questions linger about how it ended up in a residential area. Some residents suspect foul play, while others worry it could be linked to the wider insecurity plaguing northern Nigeria.

The Kaduna State government has yet to issue an official statement, but security analysts warn that without swift action, such attacks could become more frequent. For now, the people of Abakpa mourn young Abubakar and pray for the recovery of the injured—even as they brace for what might come next.