Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Ten persons, including a three‑year‑old girl, were laid to rest on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by suspected bandits ripped through a commercial vehicle on the Bagega–Anka road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Funeral prayers were conducted according to Islamic rites as families and residents mourned yet another tragic loss in a region that has been ravaged by persistent insecurity.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday, June 9, when a Volkswagen Golf 3 wagon carrying passengers from Bagega village to Anka town ran over the device. The blast killed four people instantly, while six others died from their injuries in hospitals, bringing the total death toll to ten. Among the deceased were a three‑year‑old girl from Minyama community and elderly residents of Mallamawa village. Local sources confirmed that the victims were buried after Friday prayers, with grieving relatives struggling to come to terms with the loss of loved ones.
A resident who witnessed the aftermath told reporters, “The explosion scattered the vehicle. We saw bodies torn apart. It was a scene of horror.” Security sources confirmed that the IED was likely planted by bandits who have been operating in the forests around Anka, Bagega, and Dansadau. The assailants have increasingly turned to IEDs to target civilian vehicles after military operations disrupted their traditional tactics.
The Zamfara State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. However, local authorities have heightened vigilance along the route and called for a joint security sweep of the area to detect and remove other explosive devices. “We are working with the military to clear the road and ensure the safety of commuters,” a senior police officer told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The attack has once again raised questions about the government’s ability to secure rural communities in Zamfara. Human rights groups have condemned the use of IEDs against civilians and urged the authorities to adopt more proactive counter‑insurgency measures, including improved intelligence gathering and community‑based early warning systems.
The victims’ families have appealed for government assistance, both in terms of medical bills for the injured and support for those who have lost breadwinners. “How many more innocent lives must be lost before lasting peace returns to Zamfara and northern Nigeria?” one resident asked, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the region.
As of the time of this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the explosion, and the police investigation is ongoing. The Federal Government has yet to comment on the incident.
Above are the pictures of some of the victims.
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