Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Three police officers, including a Superintendent who led the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Zamfara State Command, were killed on Monday, June 15, 2026, after the armoured personnel carrier they were travelling in struck an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists along the Anka–Bagega axis. The incident marks a significant escalation in the tactics used by criminal gangs in Nigeria’s North‑West, who are increasingly adopting methods more commonly associated with insurgent groups in the North‑East.
The deceased officers have been identified as Superintendent of Police Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, who served as the Officer‑Commanding the EOD unit; Inspector Auwal Ahmad; and Inspector Murtala Musa. Mugira Yusuf, a media aide to Governor Dauda Lawal, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement released on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. According to the statement, the officers were conducting a routine patrol targeting armed groups when one of the police unit’s armoured personnel carriers ran over the improvised explosive device buried by the terrorists. All three deceased officers were trained EOD experts attached to the Zamfara State Police Command.
Following the explosion, bandits reportedly emerged from the surrounding forest and set the damaged armoured vehicle ablaze before retreating into the bush. In a separate statement, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, described the officers as dedicated personnel who consistently demonstrated bravery and professionalism in confronting security challenges. "It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that we mourn the tragic loss of our gallant officers… who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while serving and protecting our nation," the statement read. The Command extended condolences to the families of the deceased, their colleagues, and the wider police community.
The use of buried explosives on major roads represents a tactical shift in the North‑West’s security crisis. Historically, armed groups operating in Zamfara relied primarily on guerrilla tactics including mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, and sudden raids on villages using small arms. However, counter‑terrorism analysts and residents have reported that these criminal syndicates are increasingly adopting battlefield tactics traditionally used by insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North‑East. The incident also follows a pattern of deadly IED attacks in the state. On May 21, a similar explosion on the Bagega–Anka road killed 10 people, including security personnel and civilians. Authorities have not yet provided details on whether the officers were targeted specifically or if the device was part of a broader campaign to intimidate security forces. The police spokesperson could not be reached for comment on Tuesday afternoon.
The tragic loss of the three officers has once again highlighted the immense risks faced by security personnel in the North‑West, where criminal gangs have continued to operate with impunity despite repeated military operations. The fallen officers have been hailed as heroes who paid the ultimate price in the service of their nation, with the police command noting that their courage and professionalism would remain a lasting legacy. As of the time of this report, no arrests have been made in connection with the attack, and the search for the perpetrators is ongoing.
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