Security operatives have successfully disarmed an improvised explosive device allegedly planted by suspected terrorists along the Danjibga–Kuncin Kalgo route in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The operation was conducted by a joint team comprising the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Unit, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and Military EOD personnel, with robust security support provided by the Zamfara State Police Command.
In a statement released on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, disclosed that the exercise was carried out on Friday under the leadership of SP Abdulrazak Musa Hassan.
Abubakar explained that the operatives employed standard Render Safe Procedures (RSP) to carefully and professionally neutralise a pressure-plate IED discovered at the scene.
“The explosive components were recovered and secured for further forensic examination,” Abubakar said.
He added that after an extensive sweep and technical evaluation of the area, the route was declared safe and free from additional IED threats, allowing normal movement to resume for residents and road users.
The police spokesperson urged members of the public to remain alert and to continue sharing timely and credible information with security agencies to aid ongoing security operations across the state.
Zamfara State is among the regions heavily affected by banditry, with criminal groups continuing to carry out violent attacks despite the deployment of security forces.
Over the years, armed non-state actors have escalated assaults in rural communities across the northwest and parts of central Nigeria, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread kidnappings for ransom.
These groups are known to operate from camps located within expansive forest areas spanning several states, including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Niger, from where they launch coordinated attacks.
According to a recent report by SBM Intelligence, between July last year and June 2025, no fewer than 4,722 people were abducted in 997 separate incidents, while at least 762 others were killed.
The report noted that kidnappers demanded a total of about ₦48 billion in ransom but were only able to secure ₦2.57 billion, estimated at around $1.66 million.
During that period, “Nigeria’s kidnap-for-ransom crisis consolidated into a structured, profit-seeking industry,” the Lagos-based security advisory firm stated.
Last November, United States President Donald Trump threatened possible military action against Nigeria over allegations of large-scale killings of Christians by radical Islamist groups.
