Residents of Bagudo in Kebbi State were thrown into panic in the early hours of Tuesday following a loud explosion at the local General Hospital. Security authorities have swiftly moved to assure the public that the situation is under control and that no lives were lost in the incident.
Timeline of the Incident and Security Response
The explosion occurred at approximately midnight on December 30, 2025, within the premises of the Bagudo General Hospital. The loud blast caused significant alarm among residents in the hospital's vicinity and the wider community.
In response, a joint security team was immediately deployed to the scene. This team included personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and local vigilance groups. They cordoned off the area to secure it and allow for a proper investigation.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) experts were brought in to conduct a detailed assessment of the site to determine the cause and nature of the explosion.
Official Clarification on the Cause
Both the Kebbi State Government and the state police command have moved to dispel rampant rumors circulating on social media. Officials explicitly denied suggestions that the blast was caused by a bomb or involved a helicopter.
Instead, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Yakubu Bala-Tafida, clarified the situation during a briefing in Birnin Kebbi. He stated that preliminary findings indicated the explosion resulted from a fire outbreak involving gas cylinders, not an explosive device.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, supported this explanation in a separate statement. He confirmed that the assessment by EOD-CBRN experts and the Commissioner of Police Tactical Team concluded the blast was accidental.
Damage and Ongoing Security Measures
While the explosion caused damage to a building within the hospital's staff quarters, a major tragedy was averted. Authorities confirmed that all occupants had evacuated the area before the blast occurred and were unharmed.
To maintain public safety and prevent any breakdown of law and order, the Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State has ordered the reinforcement of security around the hospital. Additional tactical units have been deployed to the area to reassure the community.
The police continue to urge residents of Bagudo and surrounding communities to remain calm and rely only on official information, dismissing unverified reports about the incident.
