Photo caption: The explosives
The Zamfara State Police Command has intercepted a vehicle conveying 954 explosive materials suspected to have been intended for use by bandits operating in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the driver, Mustapha Mohammad, had been arrested.
Abubakar said operatives of the Task Force on Illegal Mining, acting on credible intelligence, carried out the operation.
“On January 27, 2027, at about 4:15 p.m., operatives of the Task Force on Illegal Mining, led by ASP Aminu Aliyu, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, conducted a successful operation which resulted in the arrest of a suspect in connection with the unlawful possession of suspected explosive materials,” the statement read.
The suspect, a 38-year-old man, was arrested while driving a Toyota Corolla with registration number KUJ 933 EJ. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 954 pieces of suspected explosives concealed in polyethylene bags.
Preliminary investigations suggest the items were to be used by bandits for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices.
Abubakar said the suspect remains in custody, while the recovered exhibits have been handed over to the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for safekeeping and further analysis.
He added that investigations were ongoing to determine the source, destination, and intended use of the explosives, as well as identify any accomplices.
“Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” he said.
The interception occurred less than a week after a similar incident in Oyo State, where police operatives stopped a truck loaded with materials suspected to be explosive components in the Saki area of Oke-Ogun.
