Six travellers were killed on Sunday in a tragic explosion along the Dansadau-Gusau Road in Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State. The incident occurred when a commercial vehicle ran over an explosive device reportedly planted by bandits. The explosion also left eight others injured and destroyed a section of the road, including a bridge.
According to local sources, the explosives were planted as part of a reprisal attack by bandits targeting Unguwar Yargaladima village. The bandits allegedly sought revenge for the killing of their leader, Sani Black, by a vigilante group in the village.
Sani Musa, a resident of the area, explained that the community had alerted the military about the imminent attack, prompting the bandits to lay the trap in anticipation of a security intervention. Musa said, “The bandits received information from an informant within the community that the military was on its way. They planted an explosive on a bridge to eliminate the security personnel.”
The vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf 3, unknowingly triggered the device, resulting in a massive explosion. Abdullahi Dansadau, another resident, described the aftermath: “The Golf 3 vehicle stepped on the bomb and exploded. Six people died, and eight others sustained injuries. The vehicle was completely destroyed.”
The injured victims were rushed to Dansadau General Hospital for treatment, though their conditions remain unclear. Security forces, including soldiers and police officers, have been deployed to the area to secure the scene and launch investigations.
The bandits reportedly continued their operation toward Unguwar Yargaladima despite the explosion. Military personnel engaged in “Operation Fansan Arewa” have been working to neutralize terrorist threats in the area and claimed to have eliminated scores of bandits near the village.
When contacted, Yazid Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Police Command, said he had not confirmed the details of the incident. He added, “I will contact the Divisional Police Officer in the area to confirm whether the incident occurred.” Efforts to reach Lt. Col. Suleiman Omale, spokesperson for Operation Hadarin Daji, were unsuccessful.
The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by insurgents has become a growing challenge for Nigeria’s military. Recently, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, highlighted the issue during a Security and Justice Symposium in Abuja, stating, “IEDs have been the major challenge since the beginning of the insurgency. We are working on solutions and strategies to tackle this threat.”
The incident highlights the continued insecurity in Zamfara State and the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect civilians and counter the persistent threats posed by bandits and insurgents.
