The Kano State Government has ordered all scrap material dealers to immediately halt bringing their products from states in the North-East region.

SolaceBase reports that the ban comes after a bomb explosion that killed five people and left many injured at a metal scrap factory in the Hotoro area of Kano metropolis.

The State Commissioner for Security, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umaru (retd) announced the directive on Wednesday in Kano.

A statement issued by the Ministry Director Public Relations and Enlightenment, Muhammad Dahir Idris on Wednesday said the commissioner explained that the measure became necessary after investigations linked a recent explosives which detonated in Kano, killing five people and injuring several others, to concealed explosives within scrap consignments from the region that has faced prolonged insurgency.

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“This directive is a preventive measure to protect the lives and property of our citizens,” he said. “All dealers in scrap materials are hereby instructed to immediately stop importing such items from the North-East. Anyone found violating this order will face the full weight of the law.”

“We are not banning the business of scrap entirely, but bringing them in from high-risk zones without thorough scrutiny endangers everyone,” it said.

He maintained that the suspension of such imports would remain in force until further notice.