Police confirm deadly explosions on Magami–Dansadau Road in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed multiple explosions along the Magami–Dansadau Road in Maru Local Government Area, resulting in several deaths.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that objects suspected to be improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated on the road.

Abubakar said details of the incident were still sketchy, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the explosions. He promised that the command would issue a comprehensive statement after preliminary findings.

An eyewitness, Malam Yunusa Isah, who was part of a security-escorted convoy travelling along the route, separately confirmed the incident to NAN via telephone.

Isah said suspected bandits planted three explosives along the road between the Maikogo and Mai’ayaya communities while vehicles were heading towards the Dansadau Emirate.

According to him, the first blast destroyed two motorcycles and killed four people as the convoy passed through the area. A second explosion later affected a trailer, leading to the death of about five more persons.

“The convoy was long, and the explosions occurred towards the rear of the vehicles,” he said.

Isah added that security operatives attached to the convoy engaged the attackers in a gun duel and pursued them into nearby bushes.

He also disclosed that a woman, who panicked during the incident, reportedly fell from a moving vehicle and was accidentally run over by another vehicle, resulting in her death.

The eyewitness confirmed that additional security personnel had been deployed to the area to secure the road and protect travellers.