An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded in the early hours of Wednesday along the Gusau–Funtua highway in Zamfara State, damaging a cement-laden trailer and causing panic among motorists.
The explosion reportedly occurred near Unguwar Mai Chida village when the truck, travelling from Sokoto to Kaduna, passed through the affected section of the road.
Local sources said the device, suspected to have been planted by terrorists, detonated as the vehicle approached the area, severely damaging the head of the trailer and disrupting traffic flow along the busy highway.
Despite the intensity of the blast, no casualty was recorded as the driver, identified as Dauda Adamu, was rescued alive by nearby motorists.
A resident, Samaila, disclosed that the incident happened only hours after a joint security team comprising police and military personnel reopened the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta road in Tsafe Local Government Area following weeks of closure caused by explosive threats.
According to him, security operatives had earlier engaged suspected criminals in a prolonged gun battle during clearance operations in the area, suggesting that the explosive device may have been part of previously planted traps targeting security personnel.
Another eyewitness and commercial driver, Lawali, said motorists immediately stopped at safe distances after hearing the loud explosion while efforts were made to rescue the trapped driver before the arrival of security operatives.
He noted that panic gripped road users until military personnel and other security agencies secured the scene and cleared the highway for movement.
Confirming the development, spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit had been deployed to the location to assess the situation and prevent further danger.
The latest incident comes days after a Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier reportedly struck another planted explosive device along the Keta–Danjibga road in Tsafe Local Government Area, underscoring growing security concerns in parts of the state
