IED blast in Gwabro village kills six, injures three during Eid-el-Kabir celebrations
A locally made improvised explosive device (IED) detonated by suspected notorious Lakurawa jihadists in Gwabro village, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, claimed six lives and critically injured three others on Sunday.
The victims were celebrating Eid-el-Kabir when the explosion occurred.
Eyewitnesses reported that the group was walking from Gwabro toward the neighboring Zurmuku community when they accidentally triggered the device. The blast took place under a large tree near a security outpost close to Zurmuku village—an area already fraught with security concerns.
Local authorities suspect the notorious Lakurawa bandit group, known for violent attacks across parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States, of orchestrating the explosion.
Among the injured were three women, who were rushed to Tangaza General Hospital in critical condition. The Tangaza Local Government Council is providing support for their treatment.
The council has also stepped in swiftly to offer medical assistance to the survivors and is working closely with security agencies to respond to the incident.
Alhaji Garzali Raka, Special Adviser on Security to Tangaza Local Government Council, confirmed that the six deceased have been buried according to Islamic rites.
“This is a deeply saddening incident. We are doing all we can to support the injured and maintain security in the area,” he said.
The attack has heightened concerns over the ongoing threat of armed banditry in the region, which continues to disrupt lives and displace countless families in northern Sokoto.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help prevent further attacks. Local security agencies are under increasing pressure to intensify surveillance and counter-insurgency efforts in the affected areas.
As families mourn their loved ones, this tragic event has cast a long shadow over what should have been a time of festive joy and unity.
In the wake of the blast, Gwabro and neighboring communities face the challenge of rebuilding trust and restoring a sense of normalcy during the sacred religious festivities.
