The Magami-Dansadau highway in Zamfara State has long been infamous as one of the state's most perilous roads, frequently necessitating military escorts for safe passage. This treacherous reputation was tragically underscored on a recent Saturday when at least seven people were killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that detonated along the highway in the Maru Local Government Area. Residents and military sources indicated that the explosives were likely aimed at travelers using the Gusau-Dansadau-Magami transit route, a critical artery in the region.

According to Haruna Bala, a resident, five individuals died instantly from the blast, while two others later succumbed to their injuries in a hospital. The incident was confirmed by Mustapha Kaura, a media aide to the Zamfara State Governor, who attributed the attack to fleeing bandits affiliated with the notorious kingpin, Dogo Gide. Mr. Kaura specified that the IED was planted between the villages of Yar-gada and Mai-hayahaya, highlighting the calculated nature of the assault. David Adewusi, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force 'Operation Fansan Yamma', also corroborated the event, identifying the cause as a terrorist-planted IED.

The Dansadau District within Maru LGA has historically been a hotbed of banditry in Zamfara State. However, the recent and alarming emergence of Improvised Explosive Devices as a weapon of choice signifies a dangerous escalation and evolution in the ongoing conflict. This is not an isolated occurrence; in December of the previous year, explosive devices planted by bandits in separate locations within the Dansadau District resulted in the deaths of over 15 people. These incidents included two explosions on the road connecting Dansadau and Malamawa, and another on Malele Road, all situated within the Dansadau district. Earlier reports also documented a tragic event where at least 12 individuals were reportedly killed when an explosive blew off a bridge at Tashar Sahabi.

This shift in tactics reflects an adaptation by bandit groups who traditionally relied on small arms and motorcycles for "hit-and-run" raids in the North-west. Over the past 12 months, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of landmines and IEDs. The Dansadau area's strategic location, bordering the vast Kuyambana Forest, provides these bandit groups with a primary hideout and a crucial transit corridor, enabling their movement between Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Katsina states. The deployment of IEDs introduces a new level of threat and complexity to the security challenges faced by the region.