Lakurawa terrorists behind Zamfara bridge bombing, say police

The Zamfara police command says members of the Lakurawa terrorist group were responsible for the explosive that went off along the Gusau-Dansadau road in Maru LGA. 

Muhammad Dalijan, Zamfara police commissioner, spoke on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday.

On Wednesday, eight people were killed after an explosive tore through the Gusau-Dansadau bridge. The deceased were commuting to Gusau in a Golf car.

There were reports that suspected bandits had planted the explosive.

Dalijan however said Lakurawa members were spotted near the blast site moments before the explosion, adding that bandits in Zamfara do not have the capacity to make bombs.

“This Lakurawa (group) when they were dislodged by the Army in Sokoto and Kebbi, the rest of them that survived the military onslaught were trying to find new enclaves,” Dalijan said.

“As they were passing that village to Birnin-Gwari forest, they planted a bomb under a bridge.

“Then a motorist was passing and stepped on it. It exploded and killed the driver and three other people were seriously injured.

“They were seen passing through a village and as we were getting reports, trying to get ourselves prepared to pursue them, this explosion happened.

“So, we are sure that they were the ones that planted the bomb.

“The bandits here (in Zamfara) don’t use bombs because they don’t know how to make it; they don’t know how to improvise explosive devices.

“So, we are 100% sure that Lakurawa are the ones because planting bombs in Zamfara state is a new development and bandits don’t have that capacity.”

Last month, the defence headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the group’s presence in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said the terrorists migrated from Niger Republic.