Fear and panic gripped residents of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State, on Sunday after a passenger vehicle reportedly struck an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by suspected bandits along the Kurawa–Sabon Birni road.
The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of the day, reportedly claimed one life and left several passengers with varying degrees of injuries, further raising concerns over the growing insecurity in parts of Nigeria’s North-West.
According to local sources, the vehicle was transporting passengers from nearby communities to Sabon Birni when it ran over the suspected explosive device, triggering a powerful blast that badly damaged the vehicle.
A security analyst, Bashir Altine Guyawa, disclosed the incident in a Facebook post, noting that the vehicle was on a routine passenger trip when the explosion occurred.
Eyewitnesses said the impact of the blast scattered parts of the vehicle across the road as residents and passers-by rushed to rescue those trapped in the wreckage.
Although local sources confirmed that at least one person lost their life, the exact number of those injured has not been officially verified.
The incident has sparked fresh fears among residents who rely on the road for daily transportation, trade and access to essential services.
Security experts have warned that criminal groups are increasingly resorting to improvised explosive devices following intensified military operations in the region.
As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Police Command had not issued an official statement, while efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful.
Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and determine those responsible for planting the explosive device.
