At least seven people lost their lives on Saturday after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated along the Magami–Dansadau highway in Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
The explosion occurred near Yar-gada community, causing panic among residents and commuters.
Abubakar Dansadau, a local resident, told Channels Television that the blast happened in the afternoon, hitting a trailer transporting passengers and farm produce, as well as several motorcycles. He said five people in the truck and four motorcyclists were affected, with one of the injured later dying from sustained injuries.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Zamfara State Governor on Broadcast Media and Public Affairs, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, confirmed the incident, attributing the explosion to an IED allegedly planted by fleeing bandits loyal to the notorious leader Dogo Gide. Kaura explained that security troops had previously engaged the bandits and neutralised some, but were unaware of explosives along the route between Yar-gada and Mai-hayahaya villages. As of Saturday evening, seven deaths had been officially confirmed.
Captain David Adewusi, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force, Northwest Operation Fansan Yamma, also confirmed the blast, clarifying that it was not caused by a foreign airstrike but by a terrorist-planted device.
The attack comes just days after Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal visited several affected communities along the Dansadau axis, marking the first visit by a sitting governor to the area since 2011. The visit was part of ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity and engage with local communities impacted by banditry.
