Three police officers have been killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on the Anka–Bagega road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara state.
According to security sources quoted by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the incident occurred around 5:05pm on June 15.
The officers were part of a team led by Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, the officer in charge of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit, who had gone to defuse a suspected explosive device believed to have been planted by bandits.
“The team, which included personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), was reportedly conducting a controlled clearance operation using an armoured personnel carrier when the vehicle accidentally triggered the explosive device,” Makama said.
“The explosion resulted in the immediate death of SP Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, Inspector Murtala Musa of the VCRU, and Inspector Auwal Ahmad attached to the EOD unit.
“Their bodies were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, for post-mortem examination.”
The publication reported that the bodies of the officers have been taken to a hospital morgue as authorities investigate the incident.
According to Makama, security has been strengthened in the area, and efforts are ongoing to clear the road and prevent further attacks.
