At least 10 people were killed and seven others injured after a commercial vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Nigeria’s Zamfara State, security sources said Thursday.
The Zamfara roadside explosion occurred Monday evening along the Bagega–Anka road, a route that has witnessed several similar attacks in recent months.
Vehicle hit by explosive device
According to security sources, the blast happened at about 6:15 p.m. local time when a Volkswagen Golf wagon carrying passengers from Bagega to Anka ran over the device.
The explosion destroyed the vehicle and caused multiple casualties.
Emergency responders transported the injured to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Security operation underway
Zamfara State police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar said authorities have launched a joint security operation following the attack.
The deployment includes officers from the Violent Crime Response Unit and Civil Security Volunteers under the supervision of the state police commissioner.
Officials said the operation aims to secure the route and prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
Growing concern over explosive attacks
Authorities believe armed groups locally known as bandits planted the explosive device.
The groups have operated for years across Zamfara and neighboring states, carrying out kidnappings, killings and attacks on rural communities.
The latest incident has intensified concerns about the increasing use of explosive devices by criminal groups in northwestern Nigeria.
Repeated attacks on key route
The Bagega–Anka road has experienced several similar incidents in recent months.
In May, another commercial vehicle reportedly struck an explosive device on the same route, killing at least six people and injuring several others.
Following that attack, security agencies conducted clearance operations and temporarily restricted movement along the road.
Zamfara remains one of the states most affected by bandit violence. Armed groups operating from forest hideouts continue to target villages, roads and travelers, raising fears that the use of explosive devices is expanding beyond Nigeria’s northeast, where such tactics have traditionally been linked to insurgent groups.
