ONE DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED AS SUSPECTED BANDITS’ BOMB HITS VEHICLE IN SOKOTO

One person was thought to be dead and several others were hurt in different ways after a car hit an IED, which was said to have been placed by suspected bandits on the Kurawa–Sabon Birni road in Sokoto State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, raising fresh concerns over the growing use of explosive devices by criminal groups operating in parts of the North-West.
According to local sources, the vehicle was conveying passengers from surrounding communities to Sabon Birni when it ran over the explosive device, triggering a blast that severely damaged the vehicle and left several occupants injured.
A security analyst based in the area, Bashir Altine Guyawa, disclosed the incident in a post on his Facebook page, describing it as another reminder of the persistent security challenges confronting communities along the border axis.
According to Guyawa, the vehicle was on a routine passenger trip when the explosion occurred.
“The vehicle was conveying passengers early this morning on their way to Sabon Birni when the unfortunate incident happened,” he wrote.
Eyewitnesses said the force of the explosion scattered parts of the vehicle across the road, while survivors and passers-by rushed to rescue victims trapped in the wreckage.
Residents who arrived at the scene shortly after the blast described an atmosphere of panic and grief as relatives searched for loved ones.
