On Sunday, January 15, 2023, a dynamite explosion in Azare town, Katagum region, Bauchi State, damaged a school, a mosque, and numerous homes.
A projected Police officers Jumuat Mosque was also damaged by the explosion, which happened near the town’s Police Township region.
Haruna Bello, a resident of the town, claimed that some local government officials were cleaning the area when the dynamite went off a few minutes after 11:00 a.m.
“After the explosion, it took some time for everything to return to normal. You know, we’ve also experienced Boko Haram attacks in the past, so when the explosion occurred, everyone ran for cover believing it was an attack by the terrorist group, Mr. Bello said.
He claimed that the nearby building controlled by the local administration was where the explosion happened.
Aminu Alhassan, the commissioner of police for Bauchi State, confirmed the explosion but claimed no lives were lost when speaking with reporters about the incident.
He claimed that when other persons were clearing the area of grasses, explosives set off the explosion.
“The incident involving some dynamite used in building roads at an abandoned store in a quarry site owned by a road construction company is at the center of the problem. Now, more than 30 years ago, they left the location.
One of the dynamites was set off by some persons burning bushes nearby, which was an issue. It wasn’t intended for Boko Haram. The company’s abandoned rock-blasting dynamite was present, he claimed.
According to Mr. Alhassan, the leadership sent an Anti Bomb Squad to the area for an accurate evaluation.
He continued by saying that the police squad had found further abandoned explosive sites and had directed that the area be shut.
“We sent an EOD there right away, and when they arrived, they discovered that there were dynamites. That same night, they also cleaned up the area and dug up two more dynamites. Three more dynamites were discovered after they broadened their search. Until we have adequately cleansed the area, I have also ordered that the entire area be sealed off from the public.
There was a new mosque there, as well as some family homes and a private school that were impacted. We want to reassure the public that the explosion was caused by dynamite, not by Boko Haram or any other terrorist group, he continued.
Bala Mohammed, the state’s governor, and the leaders of the state’s security services paid a visit to the town on Monday afternoon.
Three people of Azare, the administrative center of Katagum Local Government, perished in 2011 as a result of a catastrophic Boko Haram raid on the town.
