By Deborah Nnamdi
One person has been feared dead while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a passenger vehicle reportedly struck an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by suspected bandits along the Kurawa–Sabon Birni road in Sokoto State.
The explosion occurred in the early hours of Sunday as the vehicle was transporting passengers from surrounding communities to Sabon Birni. The blast severely damaged the vehicle, leaving several occupants injured and sparking renewed concerns over the increasing use of explosive devices by criminal groups operating in parts of Nigeria’s North-West.
According to local sources, the vehicle ran over the explosive device during a routine trip, triggering an explosion that ripped through the vehicle.
A security analyst based in the area, Bashir Altine Guyawa, confirmed the incident in a Facebook post, describing it as another indication of the persistent insecurity affecting communities along the border corridor.
“The vehicle was conveying passengers early this morning on their way to Sabon Birni when the unfortunate incident happened,” Guyawa wrote.
Eyewitnesses said the force of the explosion scattered parts of the vehicle across the road as survivors and passers-by rushed to rescue victims trapped in the wreckage. Residents who arrived at the scene described an atmosphere of panic and grief as relatives searched for their loved ones.
Local sources said at least one person was killed, while several others suffered injuries. However, the exact number of casualties could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has heightened fears among residents of Sabon Birni and neighbouring communities, many of whom rely on the road for transportation, trade and access to essential services.
Security experts have warned that criminal groups displaced by sustained military operations are increasingly resorting to unconventional tactics, including the deployment of improvised explosive devices, to spread fear and disrupt movement in vulnerable communities.
Community leaders have urged security agencies to intensify surveillance and clearance operations along major rural roads to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Sokoto State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls and text messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion and identify those responsible for planting the explosive device.
