At least eight people are feared dead after a vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by suspected terrorists along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The explosive device reportedly detonated on Monday morning when the vehicle carrying seven passengers and a driver travelled between the communities of Nuku and Woro.
Sources said the attackers had earlier used a similar explosive device to destroy a bridge linking the Luma, Babana, and Agwara communities, an important route used by traders and residents moving to the Babana border market, which holds every Monday.
The explosion occurred after the vehicle unknowingly stepped on the planted IED, killing all eight occupants.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the bridge had been bombed earlier by suspected terrorists operating within the Park Forest area.
He explained that security agencies were continuing surveillance and had intensified clearance operations in the area to ensure safety.
According to Abiodun, the police received a report around 6:30 a.m. indicating that the terrorists had detonated the explosive device around 2 a.m., causing damage to the bridge connecting the affected communities.
Security forces are currently monitoring the area while efforts are ongoing to neutralise threats and prevent further attacks.
