Six killed, eight injured as explosion rocks Zamfara

At least six people have been killed and eight others injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on the Bagega–Anka road in Zamfara State on Thursday.

According to reports, a commercial Volkswagen Golf vehicle was transporting passengers from Bagega to Anka when it struck the explosive device.

“Six passengers in the car died instantly as it took emergency workers over 20 minutes to arrive the scene,” the source said.

The injured victims—including a woman, her child, and six men—were reportedly taken to a primary healthcare centre in Bagega for treatment.

A resident of Bagega said his brother was among the injured and confirmed that the device was allegedly planted on the road.

“When I reached the hospital (PHC), I learnt that it was a bomb planted by bandits on the road,” the resident said.

The Bagega–Anka axis has long been considered highly dangerous due to recurring attacks linked to armed groups operating in the area. Anka, the local government headquarters, is one of the hotspots of insecurity in western Zamfara.

Security officials said it took emergency responders over 20 minutes to reach the scene after the blast occurred.

Police spokesperson in the state, Yazid Abubakar, had not responded to enquiries at the time of filing this report.

The incident adds to a growing pattern of explosive attacks in Zamfara, where IED incidents—previously rare—have increased in recent months.

Authorities note that several similar attacks have been recorded this year, particularly along major highways in the state.