10 killed, 7 injured in IED blast on Zamfara’s Bagega–Anka road

At least 10 people were killed and seven injured when a passenger vehicle hit an improvised explosive device along the Bagega–Anka road in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria. The blast destroyed the vehicle and is believed to have been caused by suspected bandits operating in the area. Security forces have launched investigations and reinforced patrols along the route.

At least 10 people have been killed and seven others injured after a commercial passenger vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by suspected armed groups along the Bagega–Anka road in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria.

The explosion happened at about 6:15 p.m. on Monday when a Volkswagen Golf wagon carrying passengers from Bagega to Anka in Anka Local Government Area drove over the explosive device. The blast completely destroyed the vehicle, killing several occupants instantly and leaving others with serious injuries.
Security sources and eyewitness accounts said the explosion sent debris flying across the road and nearby bush, causing panic among residents and travellers in the area. Emergency responders and local security volunteers arrived shortly after the incident to evacuate survivors and recover the bodies of those killed.
The injured victims were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment, while those in critical condition were referred to better-equipped hospitals. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims.
Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident and said a joint security response team was immediately deployed to the area. The team includes operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, personnel of the State Police Command, and members of Civilian Protection or community security volunteers, operating under the direction of the Commissioner of Police.
According to him, the deployment is aimed at securing the Bagega–Anka route, preventing further attacks, and strengthening surveillance in the area. Investigations have also begun to determine how the explosive device was planted and who was responsible.
Preliminary reports indicate that the explosive was planted by armed groups commonly referred to as bandits, who have been active in Zamfara and surrounding states for years. These groups are known for kidnappings for ransom, armed attacks, cattle rustling, and repeated assaults on rural communities and highways.
The incident has heightened concerns about the increasing use of improvised explosive devices in northwestern Nigeria, a tactic that security analysts say represents an escalation in the methods used by criminal groups. Such explosives were previously more commonly associated with insurgent activity in other parts of the country.
The Bagega–Anka road has recorded similar incidents in recent months. In May, at least six people were killed and several others injured after another passenger vehicle reportedly ran over an IED along the same route. Following that attack, security agencies carried out clearance operations and imposed temporary restrictions on movement to reduce risks to commuters.
Despite these measures, attacks continue to occur intermittently along rural roads in the region, highlighting the difficulty of securing remote routes that pass through forested areas believed to be hideouts for armed groups.
Zamfara State remains one of the worst-affected areas by bandit violence in Nigeria. Communities have faced repeated attacks, displacement, and disruption of farming and trade activities as insecurity persists.
Security operations have been intensified in the state, combining military action with local security initiatives. However, the continued occurrence of attacks, including roadside bombings, underscores the evolving threat and the persistent danger faced by civilians travelling in the region.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while security patrols have been reinforced along the Bagega–Anka axis to prevent further incidents. :::