According to eyewitnesses, the explosion occurred as the trailer, loaded with cement and traveling from Sokoto to Kaduna, passed through the area. The blast severely damaged the front section of the vehicle, though the driver, identified as Dauda Adamu, was rescued alive with the help of fellow motorists. No fatalities were reported, but the explosion caused a major traffic disruption, leaving many travelers stranded for hours.
Local resident Samaila revealed that the incident happened just hours after security forces successfully cleared and reopened the Kucheri-Danjibga-Keta road in Tsafe Local Government Area. The road had been closed for over a month due to multiple explosive devices planted by suspected terrorists. During the clearance operation, security personnel reportedly engaged in a prolonged gunfight with armed groups, raising concerns that the IED that struck the truck may have been part of a larger trap intended for security operatives.
Commercial driver Lawali, who witnessed the explosion, described the blast as deafening, sending shockwaves through the area and causing immediate panic. Many motorists, fearing further attacks, parked at a safe distance until military and police teams arrived to secure the scene. Lawali and other drivers assisted in pulling the injured driver from the wreckage before emergency responders took over.
DSP Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with News Point Nigeria. He stated that a team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit had been deployed to assess the situation and ensure no additional threats remained on the highway.
This latest explosion follows a similar incident last Thursday, when a Nigerian Army Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) struck an IED along the Keta-Danjibga road in Tsafe. The frequency of such attacks has raised concerns over the safety of major roads in Zamfara, where terrorist groups have increasingly targeted both security forces and civilian travelers.
The Gusau-Funtua highway remains a critical route for trade and transportation in northern Nigeria, and repeated attacks have disrupted economic activities while heightening fears among commuters. Authorities have urged motorists to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, but many locals continue to call for stronger military presence to deter further attacks.
As security forces work to dismantle terrorist networks in the region, residents and travelers are left grappling with the persistent threat of violence on the roads. The latest explosion serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Zamfara and the broader northwestern region.
