By Deborah Nnamdi
Two men suspected to be bandits have reportedly died while attempting to test Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a camp.
The terrorists’ camp was reportedly established by the notorious extremist leader Bello Turji in Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Friday.
Makama stated that he was informed by sources that the incident occurred in Barikin Daji Village and Dan Bagudu Hills, both located in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.
According to him, the explosion caused panic among residents of nearby communities, including Garin Gwale Village, forcing many to flee their homes out of fear of further attacks.
“The explosion is said to have resulted from an IED mishap during a high-risk testing exercise conducted by the bandits under the supervision of a key lieutenant of Turji, identified as Dogo Auta.
“According to credible intelligence reports, the extremist group had recently received a consignment of weapons, ammunition, and IED-making materials transported via camels to the camp. The materials were reportedly intended to facilitate increased attacks in the area as directed by Turji,” Makama said.
He also disclosed that extremist groups in the northwest are increasingly adopting IEDs to target military bases, patrol teams, and civilian areas.
The security expert further warned that the abundance of explosives from illegal mining activities in the region could exacerbate the situation, leading to heightened security threats.
