Bandits on Wednesday planted a fresh set of explosives around the Mai Lamba axis on the Dansadau-Gusau road in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara state, resulting in the deaths of several travelers.
Graphic images shared with Channels Television showed victims of the blast lying lifeless by the roadside, as bystanders stood in shock and despair.
Residents of Dansadau informed media that the explosives were placed by suspected terrorists along the road connecting Dansadau to other regions of the state.
Abdullahi Dansadau, a local resident, stated that a Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle triggered one of the bombs, causing an explosion that killed six people and injured eight others.
“This morning, a Golf 3 vehicle ran over a bomb and exploded. We have six bodies here now, and eight others have sustained injuries. The vehicle was completely destroyed,” a source said.
A statement from Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre for the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansar Yamma, confirmed the incident.
“We acknowledge the reports about suspected bandits planting explosives along the Dansadau-Gusau Road, which sadly resulted in significant destruction,” he said.
“The safety and security of our citizens are of the utmost importance. We are currently working with local law enforcement to assess the situation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
He urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.
“Our troops are actively on the ground to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of all commuters. Additionally, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has been deployed to assist in detecting and neutralising any bombs planted on the road,” he added.
This marks the second such incident in just three days.
According to reports, fear of insecurity gripped residents of the area, following reports that armed bandits operating in the region now deploy explosives as part of their tactics.
