No fewer than 10 people are feared dead after suspected explosive devices detonated along the Magami–Dansadau Road in Zamfara State, triggering panic among travellers and residents.
An eyewitness, Mallam Yunusa, told reporters that the explosions occurred at three different points along the road and involved a trailer conveying grains.
According to him, the blasts happened between Maikogo and Mai Aya-aya villages shortly after travellers heading to Dansadau from Magami were warned by panicking road users to turn back.
He said the explosions went off in quick succession and were suspected to have been planted by armed bandits operating in the area.
“As we were standing along the road, it was uneasy. All of us were panicked, confused. The explosion rocked a trailer loaded with grains, where four people in the vehicle died, and a woman who dropped from another vehicle was smashed to death while trying to escape from the scene,” Yunusa narrated.
He added that security operatives later moved into the area, combing nearby bushes in a bid to track down the attackers.
“Later, we saw vehicles of security personnel entering the area and bush around searching and chasing bandits in the area,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that security operatives have been placed on red alert.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said officers were working to gather full details of the incident, adding that further information would be made available later.