Zamfara State was once again plunged into fear on Saturday following a suspected bomb explosion along the Yar’Tasha–Dansadau road in Maru Local Government Area, an incident that has intensified public anger and renewed questions over the whereabouts and leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal amid worsening insecurity.
Many travellers are feared dead after the blast, which reportedly caught several commuters by surprise along the busy route. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media show panic-stricken travellers fleeing the scene, underscoring the growing sense of vulnerability on Zamfara roads.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, told Daily Post in a telephone interview that security agencies were aware of the explosion but were still gathering details.
“I can confirm that there was a blast in that area but the incident just happened. I can’t tell you details yet. I will update you later,” Abubakar said.
The latest attack has further fueled accusations that Zamfara is fast becoming a safe haven for terrorists and armed groups, with residents and political commentators accusing the state government of failing to rise to the gravity of the crisis.
Critics allege that Governor Dauda Lawal has been out of the state for close to three weeks on vacation while insecurity worsens across several local government areas. The governor’s prolonged absence, they argue, has created a leadership vacuum at a time when decisive action is urgently needed.
“Zamfara is bleeding, yet its chief executive is nowhere to be found,” a civil society activist in Gusau said. “People are being killed on highways, communities are under siege, and the government appears absent.”
Reacting to the bombing on X (formerly Twitter), a user, Nuhu Sada (@NuhuSada0), wrote:
“Another tragic attack on innocent travelers in Zamfara. Families are grieving, lives are lost, and property destroyed. Security agencies must act quickly to prevent further harm and bring those responsible to justice.”
As attacks persist, calls are growing louder for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, with proponents arguing that extraordinary measures are now required to reclaim the state from armed groups and restore public confidence.
“Where is Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State?” has become a recurring question among residents, as many demand visible leadership, coordinated security action, and urgent reassurance that the state has not been abandoned to terror.
As investigations into the Maru explosion continue, Zamfara residents remain on edge, fearful that without swift and effective intervention, such attacks may become even more frequent.
