By Chinedu Echianu
Three police officers lost their lives on Monday after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during a security operation along the Anka-Bagega Road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:05 p.m. while a team of police operatives was carrying out a mission to identify and neutralise a suspected explosive reportedly planted by armed bandits in the area.
Reports say the mission was led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Superintendent of Police Abdulrazak Hassan. The team also included personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
According to security reports, the operatives were conducting a controlled clearance exercise using an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) when the vehicle inadvertently triggered the explosive device.
The blast claimed the lives of SP Abdulrazak Hassan, Inspector Murtala Musa of the VCRU, and Inspector Auwal Ahmad, an EOD operative.
The bodies of the deceased officers were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, where post-mortem examinations are expected to be conducted before burial arrangements.
Authorities have since moved the remains to the hospital morgue, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the explosion are ongoing.
Security has also been strengthened in the area as efforts continue to secure the route and ensure the safe removal of any remaining explosive threats.
The tragedy highlights the increasing use of improvised explosive devices by criminal groups operating in Zamfara State, where security forces have sustained operations against bandits terrorising several communities.
