No fewer than nine persons were reportedly killed on Saturday after two suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated along the Magami–Dansadau road in Maru LGA of Zamfara.
The explosives were allegedly planted by suspected bandits along the road between the Maikogo and Mai’ayaya communities.
The first blast reportedly destroyed two motorcycles, claiming the lives of four individuals, while the second explosion affected a trailer and led to the death of about five others.
According to media reports, a woman reportedly fell from a moving vehicle during the panic that followed the explosions and was accidentally run over by another vehicle, resulting in her death.
Yazid Abubakar, police spokesperson in Zamfara, who confirmed the incident, said details surrounding the explosion were still sketchy.
Abubakar noted that investigations had commenced to determine the cause of the incident, adding that the command would issue a comprehensive statement after preliminary findings.
The incident is coming on the heels of US’ “precision” air strikes on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto state.
Zamfara, a neighbouring state to Sokoto in the north-west, has also been a hotspot for terrorist attacks.
