Lakurawa Terrorists, Not Bandits, Behind Zamfara Explosion — Police

Police clarify that the recent Zamfara explosion was caused by Lakurawa terrorists, dispelling initial reports linking the incident to bandit activity in the region.

The police have identified the newly formed terror group, Lakurawa, as responsible for masterminding an explosion on Wednesday along the Dansadau-Gusau Road in Zamfara State’s Maru Local Government Area.

“This Lakurawa group was displaced by the Army in Sokoto and Kebbi, leading the remaining survivors of the military action to seek new refuges,” stated Police Commissioner Muhammed Dalijan during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast program on Thursday.

While passing through the village on their way to Birnin-Gwari forest, they planted a bomb beneath a bridge. Later, when a motorist drove over it, the explosive detonated, resulting in the driver’s death and seriously injuring three other people.

The police commissioner reported that members of the feared insurgent group were spotted near the location shortly before the explosion occurred.

Dalijan mentioned that the planting of explosive devices is a recent development in the North-West state. He noted that although Zamfara has been engaged in a prolonged struggle with dangerous bandits, these groups lack the capability to deploy explosive devices.

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They were observed passing through a village, and just as we were receiving reports and preparing to pursue them, the explosion occurred. Therefore, we are confident that they planted the bomb.

“The bandits in Zamfara do not use bombs since they lack the know-how to create them or improvise explosive devices. Therefore, we are entirely convinced that it’s Lakurawa behind this because using bombs in Zamfara State is a recent occurrence and beyond the capabilities of local bandits,” he stated.

Zamfara, situated in Northwestern Nigeria, has been labeled the “center of banditry” in the country by Governor Dauda Lawal.

The governor stated that the marauding bandits, whose kidnapping-for-ransom business is thriving in the area…

At the same time, military officials have promised to eradicate Lakurawa insurgents along with other terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).