SEVEN KILLED IN ZAMFARA IED BLAST ALONG MAGAMI–DANSAU HIGHWAY
At least seven people lost their lives on Saturday when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded along the Magami–Dansadau highway in Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
According to residents and military sources, the blast appeared to specifically target travellers using the Gusau-Dansadau-Magami route, a stretch known as one of the most perilous highways in the state. Military escorts are often required for safe passage along this road.
Haruna Bala, a local resident, told PREMIUM TIMES that five people died immediately, while two others later died from their injuries in a hospital.
Mustapha Kaura, media aide to the Zamfara State Governor, confirmed the incident to reporters, attributing the attack to bandits loyal to the notorious criminal leader, Dogo Gide. He said the explosives were planted between the villages of Yar-gada and Mai-hayahaya.
David Adewusi, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force ‘Operation Fansan Yamma’, also verified the explosion to Channels Television, identifying it as the result of an IED planted by terrorists.
The Dansadau District in Maru LGA has long been a hotspot for banditry, but the increasing use of IEDs marks a dangerous shift in tactics. Last December, multiple explosions in the same district killed over 15 people. Two detonations occurred along the Dansadau–Malamawa road, and another on Malele Road. PREMIUM TIMES further reported that at least 12 people died after an explosive destroyed a bridge at Tashar Sahabi.
Dansadau lies at the edge of the vast Kuyambana Forest, a major hideout and transit route for bandit groups operating across Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Katsina states. While bandits in the northwest typically rely on motorcycles and small arms for hit-and-run raids, the past year has seen a worrying increase in the use of landmines and IEDs.
