Explosion Kills Scores in Kwara, Police Say Destroyed Niger Bridge Will Obstruct Operations

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Laleye Dipo in Minna

Scores of people were reportedly killed yesterday  when a car exploded after driving over an IED suspected to have been planted by bandits at Nuku village, a settlement near Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

This was as the Police in Minna, Niger State have said the bombed bridge linking Lunma and Babana in Borgu Local Government Area was done to “obstruct security operations”

However, THISDAY checks revealed  that,  the incident happened yesterday morning, with only one survivor reported, among occupants of the vehicle.

Eyewitness account stated that the explosion occurred just about 200 metres from Woro — a community still smarting from the February 3, 2026 attack by suspected terrorists, which left nearly 200 people dead and about 176 others abducted.

It was gathered that the vehicle was moving toward the community when it suddenly detonated, causing a loud blast that sent panic across nearby settlements.

The exact number of casualties from the incident has yet to be officially confirmed, but residents said the impact was devastating.

Residents of the area said the incident had further heightened tension in the Kaiama Local Government and surrounding areas, expressing fear over renewed attacks.

They also called for increased security presence to prevent a recurrence, just as community leaders sued for calm.

Meanwhile, the Police in Minna, Niger State have said the bombed bridge linking Lunma and Babana in Borgu local government area was done to “obstruct security operations”

Police Public Relations Officer and Superintendent of Police, Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement confirming the incident did not elaborate.

Abiodun declared: “On 23rd March 2026 at about 6.30am, report received revealed that on same date at about 2 am, suspected terrorists within the park forest used explosive device and bombed a bridge located along Luma road, Borgu LGA connecting Luma-Babana-Agwara communities.

“It was discovered that the bridge was damaged by the hoodlums against security operations in the area.  However, monitoring continues while clearance operation is intensified,” Abiodun said

The bridge linking Lunma and Babana was bombed by suspected bandits in the early hours of Monday an incident which stopped the movement of villagers and traders to Babana to patronise the Monday border market.

However, it was learnt that the army and other security operatives in the area were to commence the movement of arms and ammunition to Babana on Monday before the bridge was bombed.

The planned movement of arms and ammunition was said to be part of the plan by the security operatives to station a security base at Babana for prompt response to attacks by bandits and terrorists.

The incident, according to a top security official, was an indication that some informants divulged the plan to the suspected bandits leading to the bombing of the bridge.

Apart from bombing the bridge, it was gathered that the terrorists also detonated bombs between Rafingiwa and Babana and another at Woro and Kaiama.

So far, no life has been reported lost but there was tension in the affected areas.

Chairman of the local government, Alhaji  Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, confirmed the story saying, “That is what we are trying to verify: the extent of damage. So, we have sent men there. I learnt the bridge is damaged.

“I learnt a bomb was detonated between Rafingiwa and Babana. There is another one detonated between Woro and Kaiama. Our men have gone to the areas. I will get back to you soon,” he added.