By Prosper Mene
A devastating explosion shook the Abakpa community in Kaduna North Local Government Area on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, claiming the lives of two young children, Imam, 13, and Nasrin, 6, and leaving three others injured. The blast, which occurred along Josawa Road, has plunged the community into grief, with women—mothers, sisters, and caregivers—bearing the weight of profound emotional and social burdens in its aftermath.
The Kaduna State Police Command has clarified that the incident was not caused by a bomb, as initially feared, but by the accidental discharge of a locally made firearm, known as a Dane gun. The explosion occurred around 8:30 a.m., killing 12-year-old Abubakar Muhammed and injuring seven others, according to police spokesperson Mansir Hassan. A coordinated response involving the Divisional Police Officer of Kawo Division, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local government officials was swiftly deployed to assess the scene.
Women are grappling with the loss of young lives and the trauma of injured survivors. “Nasrin was like a daughter to all of us,” said Aisha Suleiman, a neighbor and mother of three. “Her mother is inconsolable, and we’re all trying to hold her up, but it’s hard when our hearts are breaking too.” Women in the community have taken on the role of providing emotional support, organizing communal prayers, and caring for the injured, even as they navigate their own grief.
The explosion’s proximity to the old site of the Nigerian Defence Academy has heightened fears among residents, particularly women, who worry about the safety of their children in an area already strained by economic hardship and security concerns. “We send our kids to play or run errands, but now we’re scared to let them out of sight,” said Fatima Usman, a local trader and single mother. “How do we protect them when things like this happen so close to home?”
Community leaders have called for increased safety measures and awareness campaigns about the dangers of locally made firearms, which are prevalent in the region. Women’s groups in Abakpa are also advocating for psychosocial support to help families cope with the trauma. “We need more than just investigations,” said Rahmatu Idris, a member of a local women’s cooperative. “Our community needs healing, and women are at the heart of that process. We’re the ones holding families together.”
The Kaduna State government has promised a thorough assessment, with visits from the Commissioner of Police, the Garrison Commander, and the Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government. Yet, for the women of Abakpa, the immediate challenge is finding strength amid sorrow.
