Bandits Kill Several in IED Explosion on Zamfara Highway

Several people were killed on Saturday following an explosion caused by suspected improvised explosive devices along the Magami–Dansadau Road in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying objects believed to be IEDs detonated on the busy road. The command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, said information available to the police was still sketchy and that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the explosion. He declined to give further details but assured that a comprehensive statement would be issued later.

A witness, Yunusa Isah, who was travelling in a security-escorted convoy along the road, told journalists in a telephone interview that suspected bandits planted multiple explosives between the Maikogo and Mai’ayaya communities. According to him, the convoy was heading towards the Dansadau Emirate when the first blast occurred, destroying two motorcycles and killing four people.

Isah added that a second explosion later affected some trailers on the road, leading to the death of about five more persons. He explained that the convoy was lengthy and that the explosions happened toward the rear of the vehicles.

He further disclosed that security personnel escorting the convoy engaged the attackers in a gun battle and pursued them into nearby bushes. In the ensuing panic, a woman reportedly fell from a moving vehicle and was accidentally run over by another vehicle, resulting in her death.

The witness confirmed that security agencies have since been reinforced in the area to ensure the safety of motorists and other road users.