An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded early Wednesday along the Gusau–Funtua highway in Zamfara State, damaging a cement-laden trailer and causing temporary disruption to traffic.
The explosion occurred at Unguwar Mai Chida and is suspected to have been carried out by bandits operating in the area, who are reportedly under pressure from ongoing security operations.
The blast destroyed the front section of the truck, which was travelling from Sokoto to Kaduna. Fortunately, no lives were lost. The driver, identified as Dauda Adamu, was rescued alive.
Confirming the incident, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, said joint tactical teams, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, had earlier detected and safely detonated several IEDs planted along the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta axis.
According to him, security operatives came under attack during the operation but successfully repelled the assailants and reopened the road for motorists. He noted that the swift intervention prevented prolonged hardship for residents, as the blockage had disrupted the movement of food and other essential goods.
The police commissioner assured that joint security operations would continue, with additional tactical measures deployed to restore normalcy in the affected communities.
A local resident, Hussaini Mohammed, said the explosion occurred just hours after security forces had cleared and reopened the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta road in Tsafe Local Government Area, which had remained inaccessible for more than a month due to explosive devices.
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He explained that during the clearance operation, security personnel encountered an ambush, leading to a prolonged gun battle with suspected bandits. He suggested that the device that struck the trailer might have been among those initially planted to target security forces.
Another eyewitness, a commercial driver identified as Lawal Senior, said he assisted in pulling the injured driver from the wreckage. He described the explosion as extremely loud, triggering panic among motorists who quickly stopped at a safe distance until military and other security personnel arrived to secure the area and clear the highway.
