Police uncovers terriorist group behind Zamafara explosion

Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Dalijan, has disclosed that members of the Lakurawa terror group, who escaped a recent military operation, were responsible for the deadly explosion that rocked the state on Wednesday.

The explosion occurred along the Dansadau-Gusau Road in Maru Local Government Area, claiming the lives of six travelers. According to reports, the victims were in a commercial vehicle that ran over an explosive device planted by bandits.

A local source revealed that the explosives were planted after community work was completed on the road.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program, CP Dalijan confirmed that remnants of the Lakurawa group carried out the attack. He added that law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to track and apprehend the perpetrators to prevent future occurrences.

Dalijan said: “This Lakurawa (group), when they were dislodged by the Army in Sokoto and Kebbi, the rest of them who survived the military onslaught were trying to find new enclaves.

“As they were passing that village to Birnin-Gwari forest, they planted a bomb under a bridge. Then a motorist was passing and stepped on it. It exploded and killed the driver, and three others were seriously injured,” he said.

He stressed that the bandits in the North-West state do not know how to improvise explosive devices, hence the assurance that the terrorists were not responsible, adding that the planting of bombs has become a new strategy to unleash terror in the state.

“They were seen passing through a village and as we were getting reports, trying to get ourselves prepared to pursue them, this (explosion) happened. So, we are sure that they were the ones who planted the bomb.

“The bandits here (in Zamfara) don’t use bombs because they don’t know how to make it, they don’t know how to improvise explosive devices. So, we are 100 percent sure that they (Lakurawa) are the ones because planting bombs in Zamfara State is a new development and bandits don’t have that capacity,” he said.

A resident of the area, identified as Abdullahi Dansadau, told the television station that the Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle exploded after it ran over the explosives, killing six people, and leaving eight others injured.

Meanwhile, Defence Headquarters vowed, yesterday, to dismantle the operational capabilities of the Lakurawa terror group.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Buba Edward revealed the existence of the group and faulted residents for failing to promptly alert security personnel.
The group, according to reports, has been wreaking havoc in Sokoto and Kebbi states.