The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed that six individuals lost their lives following a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonation in Gwabro village, located within Tangaza Local Government Area, on Sunday.
According to Police spokesperson Ahmad Rufai, the fatal incident occurred during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, though further details about the blast have not yet been disclosed by authorities.
Eyewitness Hashimu recounted the tragic moment, stating that “the blast happened in the afternoon.”
He explained that during Eid, it’s common for young people to travel between villages to celebrate with loved ones.
“Many young people were travelling from one village to another to visit family and friends, as is the tradition during Eid,” he said.
Tragically, the explosion occurred amid one of these customary visits.
Garzali Raka, an aide to the Tangaza Local Government Chairman, confirmed that the victims have been laid to rest in line with Islamic burial rites.
“The people who died have been buried according to Islamic customs,” he noted.
Local sources believe the Lakurawa terrorist group, which has long tormented residents of both Tangaza and Gudu Local Government Areas, may be behind the attack.
They allege the group likely planted the explosive device and emphasized the urgency of a governmental response.
“Members of different villages in the two local councils of Tangaza and Gudu have been terrorised by the Lakurawa terrorists,” said one village resident.
“They urged the government to respond appropriately to the terrorists’ disruption of communal harmony.”
This incident comes just a day after a fire outbreak reportedly damaged parts of the Sokoto State Police Command headquarters, although no connection between the two events has been established.
