Kebbi explosion: govt, police rule out bandits, airstrike involvement
The Kebbi State Government and the Police Command have dismissed reports suggesting that the explosion at Bagudo General Hospital was caused by a bomb, bandits, or a military airstrike.
Both authorities clarified that the incident was the result of a fire outbreak involving gas cylinders, not an explosive device.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that an early morning explosion occurred at the hospital in Bagudo Local Government Area. Police confirmed that no casualties were recorded.
Speaking on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, said preliminary findings from security agencies showed that the explosion occurred at the hospital’s staff quarters due to a fire incident.
He noted that the state government was working closely with the police and other security agencies, who had since brought the situation under control. According to him, although a building was affected, occupants had evacuated safely before the explosion, and no lives were lost.
“We commend the swift response of the Police Command and other security operatives for securing the area and ensuring public safety. We remain committed to the protection of lives and property across the state,” Bala-Tafida said.
Confirming the government’s position, the Kebbi State Police Command said investigations and expert assessments established that the explosion was caused by an inferno that overheated gas cylinders from air conditioners and refrigerators.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) experts, alongside the Commissioner of Police Tactical Team, carried out an on-site assessment.
“The assessment confirmed that no explosives or aerial activity were involved. No injuries or loss of life were recorded,” Usman said.
He urged the public and the media to remain calm and disregard unverified reports linking the incident to a bomb blast or helicopter activity, warning that such claims could cause unnecessary panic.
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