Three Police Officers Dead After Bandit Landmine Strike in Zamfara

Three Police Officers, Including Bomb Disposal Commander, Killed in Deadly Bandit Landmine Explosion in Zamfara

June 16, 2026

Three police officers, including a senior bomb disposal commander, have been killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) suspected to have been planted by armed bandits exploded along the Anka–Bagega Road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday evening during a security operation aimed at locating, neutralising and clearing explosive devices planted by criminal elements terrorising communities in the area.

According to an internal police situation report obtained by SaharaReporters, the explosion happened at about 5:05 p.m. on June 15, 2026, while a joint security team was carrying out a road clearance exercise in one of the state's most dangerous insecurity hotspots.

The operation was led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Superintendent Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, who had arrived at the Anka Divisional Headquarters alongside EOD personnel and officers from the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

The team was deployed to investigate and safely detonate a suspected landmine believed to have been planted by armed bandits along the Anka–Bagega corridor, a route that has repeatedly witnessed attacks and deadly ambushes.

However, tragedy struck during the operation.

While conducting a security sweep in a CSK Armoured Personnel Carrier, the vehicle reportedly stepped on a concealed explosive device, triggering a massive explosion that killed three officers instantly.

The deceased officers were identified as Superintendent Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, the senior bomb disposal commander leading the operation; Inspector Murtala Musa, attached to the Violence Crime Response Unit; and Inspector Auwal Ahmad, an operative attached to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit.

The officers were said to have died at the scene as a result of the impact of the blast.

Authorities have reportedly concluded arrangements to evacuate the remains of the slain officers to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where post-mortem examinations are expected to be conducted.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat posed by the increasing use of improvised explosive devices by armed groups operating across Zamfara State.

Over the years, the Anka–Bagega axis has become one of the most dangerous flashpoints in northwestern Nigeria, with residents frequently reporting attacks, kidnappings, illegal roadblocks and the planting of explosive devices on major access roads.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that criminal gangs, commonly referred to as bandits, are increasingly adopting sophisticated tactics, including the use of landmines and IEDs, to target security operatives and restrict military movements in the region.

An excerpt from the police signal obtained by GLINTNEWS read: “On 15/06/2026 at about 1705hrs, the Officer-in-Charge, EOD Mine, SP Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, arrived at Anka Division with his EOD personnel and led a team of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to detonate an improvised explosive device (IED)/landmine suspected to have been planted by armed bandits along the Anka–Bagega Road in Anka LGA.

“In the process of sweeping the road in a CSK armoured personnel carrier, the vehicle unfortunately stepped on the planted IED/landmine, which exploded.

“Consequently, three police officers—the O/C and two others—died on the spot.”

The latest attack adds to the mounting casualties suffered by security forces battling armed groups across Nigeria's northwest, where Zamfara remains one of the epicentres of persistent insecurity despite ongoing military operations.

The deaths of the three officers have renewed concerns over the safety of security personnel operating in high-risk areas and underscored the urgent need for improved intelligence gathering, advanced mine-detection technology and stronger strategies to combat the evolving tactics of armed bandits.

As authorities intensify efforts to restore peace in Zamfara, residents continue to live under the constant threat of violence, with many communities calling for more decisive action to end years of bloodshed and insecurity in the state.