- Vehicle conveying passengers hit an IED in Zamfara State
- Explosion reportedly planted by bandits along the route
- Several passengers feared dead, casualty figure still unclear
- Troops and bomb disposal units deployed to secure the area
Many passengers are feared dead after a commercial vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by bandits in Zamfara State, triggering another deadly reminder of rising insecurity on Nigeria’s highways.
The incident occurred early in the morning when a Toyota Eagle Eye vehicle conveying passengers reportedly struck an IED along the road while travelling from Gwashi in Zamfara State.
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According to counter-terrorism analyst Zagazola Makama, the explosive detonated at about 8:32 a.m., throwing the vehicle off balance and causing panic among commuters in the area.
Although the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, many passengers are feared dead, while others may have sustained serious injuries. Recovery operations were still ongoing as of the time of this report.
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Troops attached to Operation Fansan Yanma, alongside tactical units and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts, were immediately deployed to secure the scene and search for remnants of the device.
Security sources suspect the attack may be linked to a notorious bandit kingpin, Sadiku, believed to be operating in collaboration with the Dogo Gide faction, known for violent attacks across parts of the North-West.
Authorities have warned road users to exercise extreme caution, especially on isolated routes, as security operations intensify across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Reacting to the trend of IED attacks, a security source said: “These explosions show that bandits are now adopting more dangerous tactics, turning highways into deadly traps for innocent civilians.”
The Zamfara State Police Command was yet to issue an official statement, as the spokesperson could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
This incident comes days after a similar explosion injured passengers in Borno State, raising fresh concerns over the spread of IED attacks beyond traditional conflict zones.
