No fewer than six men have died while three women sustained various injuries from a suspected improvised explosive device believed to have been set by the newly formed Lakurawa terrorist group operating in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
The incident occurred in Gwabro village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, raising concerns about the group’s increasing notoriety.
It was learnt that the tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
It was gathered that people, particularly the youth, typically visit relatives from village to village to pay homage during Sallah festivities and it was during one of such visits that the tragic explosion occurred.
According to a source, “They were simply unfortunate. These innocent victims were walking from Gwabro to the nearby Zurmuku community when they stumbled upon the device. Perhaps unaware of its nature, they may have touched it, which resulted in the explosion.”
Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ahmed Rufai confirmed that the explosion resulted in the death of six men and serious injuries to three women.
The injured individuals were said to have been taken to Tangaza General Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, the chairman of Tangaza Local Government could not be reached, but his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Alhaji Garzali Raka, confirmed that those killed in the explosion had been buried according to Islamic rites.
