Suspected bandits on Wednesday planted explosives along the Mai Lamba axis of the Dansadau-Gusau road in Zamfara State’s Maru Local Government Area, resulting in the tragic deaths of six travelers and injuries to eight others.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that a Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle triggered the explosives, leading to a devastating blast.
Graphic images from the scene show lifeless victims scattered by the roadside as onlookers watched in horror.
Abdullahi Dansadau, a resident, described the incident:
“It was this morning when a Golf 3 vehicle stepped on the bomb and exploded. Six people died instantly, and eight others sustained injuries. The car was completely destroyed.”
In response to the incident, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, Commander of 1 Brigade Nigerian Army Gusau, confirmed that troops from Operation Fansar Yamma had been dispatched to assess the situation.
Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre for the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansar Yamma, later issued a statement acknowledging the attack:
“We confirm reports of explosives planted along the Dansadau-Gusau Road by suspected bandits. We are working with local authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
This marks the second explosives-related attack in the area within three days, heightening fears among residents. The recent use of explosives by armed bandits has escalated insecurity, adding a new dimension to the threats faced by communities in Zamfara State.