The newly formed terror group Lakurawa has been identified as the mastermind behind a deadly explosion along the Dansadau-Gusau Road in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Wednesday.
Zamfara State Police Commissioner Muhammed Dalijan disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, explaining that the group, recently dislodged by the military from Sokoto and Kebbi states, planted an explosive device under a bridge while relocating to the Birnin-Gwari forest.
The explosion occurred when a passing vehicle triggered the device, killing the driver and injuring three others.
Dalijan emphasized that the use of explosive devices is a new tactic in Zamfara, a state already plagued by banditry.
“These bandits don’t have the capacity to plant bombs. This is a new development, and we are 100% certain that the Lakurawa group is responsible,” the commissioner said.
He added that members of Lakurawa were spotted in the area shortly before the explosion, and authorities were preparing to pursue them when the incident occurred.
Zamfara has been a hotbed of criminal activity, with Governor Dauda Lawal describing it as the “hub of banditry” in Nigeria.
The state has faced escalating violence from bandits engaging in kidnapping-for-ransom and other criminal activities.
The governor has called for decisive action, claiming that with the right political will, the banditry crisis can be resolved in two weeks.
In response to the attack, military authorities have pledged to intensify operations against Lakurawa and other terror groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Efforts are underway to eliminate these threats and restore security to the North-West region.
The incident underscores the evolving tactics of insurgent groups and the urgent need for comprehensive security measures in Zamfara and beyond.