The Zamfara State Police Command has identified members of the Lakurawa terrorist group as responsible for the deadly explosion that claimed eight lives on the Gusau-Dansadau road in Maru Local Government Area.
Muhammad Dalijan, the state’s police commissioner, revealed this on Thursday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme.
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The explosion occurred under a bridge on Wednesday, killing the occupants of a Golf car and injuring three others.
Dalijan dismissed speculation that the explosion was the work of bandits, explaining that the technical expertise required to manufacture explosives is beyond the capacity of local bandit groups in Zamfara.
“This Lakurawa (group), when they were dislodged by the Army in Sokoto and Kebbi, tried to find new enclaves,” Dalijan said. “As they passed a village heading to Birnin-Gwari forest, they planted a bomb under a bridge. When a motorist stepped on it, the device exploded, killing the driver and injuring others.”
He added that Lakurawa militants were spotted in the area shortly before the incident, leading the police to conclude they were responsible.
Dalijan emphasized, “The bandits here (in Zamfara) don’t use bombs because they don’t know how to make or improvise explosive devices. Planting bombs in Zamfara is a new development, and we are 100% sure it was the Lakurawa group.”
The Lakurawa group, reportedly migrants from Niger Republic, has been under scrutiny for its activities in the region. Last month, Edward Buba, the director of defence media operations, confirmed their presence in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
