The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Zamfara State has raised the alarm over the reported planting of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by suspected bandits along the Gurusu-Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state.
The party described the development as a worrying escalation of insecurity, warning that the reported use of explosive devices on public roads could pose a serious threat to residents and road users.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Alkasimu Mustapha Kayatawa, the NDC called on the Federal Government and security agencies to immediately secure the affected corridor and other vulnerable areas across the state.
Kayatawa said the incident had created additional risks for motorists, farmers, traders, commuters and security personnel who regularly use the road.
“The reported use of IEDs on public roads represents a dangerous escalation that must not be allowed to become a new pattern of criminality in Zamfara,” the party said.
The NDC urged security agencies to review their operations in Bukkuyum and other areas vulnerable to attacks, calling for increased patrols, stronger intelligence gathering and improved explosive-ordnance capabilities.
It also demanded increased security presence along major highways, rural roads and communities, stressing that intelligence-led operations would be crucial to identifying criminal networks and preventing attacks.
“We need stronger intelligence gathering, sustained patrols and increased security presence along the roads and communities where residents remain exposed,” Kayatawa said.
The party questioned the level of security deployment in Zamfara compared with the extensive security presence witnessed during the recent Osun governorship election.
It argued that the same urgency should be applied to areas where residents face persistent threats from banditry and other violent crimes.
“The people of Zamfara should not be made to feel that securing ballot boxes attracts greater national urgency than securing their lives, homes, farms and highways,” the NDC said.
The party specifically urged security agencies to reinforce operations along the Gurusu-Gwashi corridor and prevent criminal groups from establishing the use of explosive devices as a regular tactic.
It also called on the Zamfara State Government to strengthen cooperation with federal security agencies and improve community-based intelligence networks.
According to the NDC, residents, traditional institutions and community leaders can play an important role in providing timely information about suspicious movements and activities.
“Community intelligence must become a critical component of the security architecture. Residents are often the first to notice unusual movements and suspicious activities,” the party said.
Expressing concern over the wider impact of banditry in the state, the NDC said prolonged insecurity had resulted in deaths, ransom payments and the displacement of communities.
“Zamfara has buried too many innocent citizens. Too many families have paid ransoms. Too many communities have been displaced,” the party stated.
It added, “Our roads must not now become minefields.”
The NDC urged the Federal Government, security agencies and the Zamfara State Government to treat the reported IED incident as an urgent warning and take decisive steps to protect residents, commuters and other road users.
The party also called for sustained security operations rather than temporary deployments, stressing that lasting peace would require continuous intelligence-led action and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
