Deadly Explosion Rocks Zamfara, Six Killed In Fresh Security Scare

The tragic incident occurred on Thursday as the Volkswagen Golf car was transporting passengers from Bagega to Anka in Anka Local Government Area.

A security operative who participated in the rescue operation told PREMIUM TIMES that six passengers died on the spot following the explosion.

The source disclosed that emergency responders arrived at the scene over 20 minutes after the blast occurred.

Those injured in the explosion, including a woman, her child and six male passengers, were rushed to the Primary Healthcare Centre in Bagega for medical attention.

A resident of Bagega, whose brother was among the victims receiving treatment, said the family was alerted to the incident by a soldier.

“When I got to the hospital, I was informed that bandits had planted the explosive on the road,” the resident revealed.

The witness requested anonymity due to security reasons.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, did not respond to calls, text messages or WhatsApp inquiries.

Anka and nearby communities have continued to witness persistent attacks linked to banditry and terrorism in western Zamfara State.

Before December 2024, cases involving improvised explosive devices were relatively rare in the state.

However, several incidents involving explosives have since been recorded, particularly after notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide was reportedly linked to the planting of explosive devices in parts of Zamfara.

Reports suggest that at least six explosion-related incidents have occurred in the state this year, especially along the Tsafe-Funtua highway and within parts of Anka Local Government Area.