At least 11 bandits have died in an accidental improvised explosive devise (IED) explosion in Zamfara state on Sunday.
Local sources told 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE that the bandits were carrying the IED from Babbar Doka village in Maru area of the state to plant it on a local road when the device exploded.
Among the 11 bandits killed were the younger brother of a notorious bandits’ leader, Abubakar Abdullahi known as Dogo Gide, a resident of Babbar Doka told this reporter via the phone.
“They’re people (bandits) who are known for years because most of them are from these communities. That day, they were obviously trying to plant the IED to target security agents or motorists but it exploded before they reached their destination,” a local resident who asked not to be named told 21 Century Chronicles Monday evening.
In December 2024, about four IED blasts incidents were reported while two others occurred in April 2025. All the incidents were recorded in Maru area where Dogo Gide maintains vast bandits’ camps.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE gathered from local sources and security agents that Dogo Gide is known to have ties with extremists from north east who have trained several of his fighters especially in weapons handling and IED.
The Commissioner of police in the state, Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba,confirmed the incident to newsmen as reported by Radio Nigeria in Gusau.
“They were targeting operatives and as fate would have it, turned against them,” Maikaba said.
