An unconfirmed number of travellers were killed in a suspected bomb explosion in Yar Tasha village, located in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to Daily Trust, the incident took place around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, when a commercial vehicle carrying the travellers triggered explosives believed to have been planted by bandits along the Dansadau-Gusau Road.
A resident of Yar Tasha village explained, “We recently carried out community work on the road, and the bandits took advantage of that opportunity to plant the device in one of the spots.”
The victims were rushed to Dansadau General Hospital, but their condition remains uncertain as authorities are unable to confirm whether they are dead or alive. Security forces, including soldiers and police, have been dispatched to the scene.
It appears that the bandits in Zamfara State have developed a new operational strategy, particularly in the Dansadau area. This is the second time in a week that explosives have been planted along this road, with another device placed on Sunday.
A local resident added, “The government must take decisive action to stop this trend, as road travel will become increasingly dangerous for the people of the state. Security forces and local communities must remain vigilant and keep a close watch on these criminal activities. This is a terrible tactic that the bandits are using and must be addressed immediately.”
Abdullahi Dansadau, another local, told Channels Television that a Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle exploded after hitting the explosives, resulting in three fatalities and leaving eight others injured.
“It happened this morning when a Golf 3 vehicle ran over the bomb and exploded. We have six bodies here now, and eight others are injured. The vehicle was completely destroyed,” Dansadau said.
The Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre, Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansar Yamma, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“We are aware of the reports regarding the explosives planted by suspected bandits along the Dansadau-Gusau Road, which unfortunately led to destruction,” he said.
He added, “The safety and security of our citizens are our top priority. We are working with local law enforcement to assess the situation and ensure that those responsible face justice.”
