An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated early Wednesday morning along the Gusau-Funtua highway, causing significant damage to a trailer but resulting in no loss of life.
The explosion occurred in the Unguwar Mai Chida village area, targeting a truck loaded with cement that was traveling from Sokoto to Kaduna. The blast severely damaged the head of the vehicle, though the driver, identified as Dauda Adamu, was rescued alive by bystanders.
Local sources suspect the device was planted by terrorists. The attack caused major traffic disruption, with motorists abandoning the road until security forces arrived to secure the area.
A report said, resident, Samaila, noted that the incident happened just hours after a joint police and military team had successfully cleared and reopened the Kucheri-Danjibga-Keta road in Tsafe LGA. That route had been closed for over a month due to planted explosives. Mr. Samaila suggested the IED that struck the truck may have been among those originally intended for security personnel, noting that troops had faced resistance and engaged in a prolonged gunfight during their clearance operation.
An eyewitness and commercial driver, Lawali, described the scene, stating the blast triggered widespread panic. “Many drivers stopped and watched from afar until the Military and other security personnel arrived to secure and clear the road,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, stated that a team from the Explosive Ordnance Department has been dispatched to the location for further investigation and clearance.
