Eight persons were feared dead yesterday after a vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Niger State.

The IED was planted by terrorists, who used a similar device to destroy a bridge along Luma Road, Borgu Local Council, connecting Luma-Babana-Agwara communities.

The bombed bridge connected the communities, particularly the Babanna major border market that holds every Monday.

The vehicle, moving between Nuku and Woro, stepped on the IED, which exploded and killed the seven occupants and the driver.

Spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the bombing, saying a clearance operation was ongoing.

He said: “On 23rd March 2026 at about 6:30 a.m., a report received revealed that on the same date at about 2:00 a.m., suspected terrorists within the park forest used an explosive device and bombed a bridge located along Luma road, Borgu LGA, connecting Luma-Babana-Agwara communities.

Also, the Magajin Garin Musawa, Hassan Musa Jikantoro, confirmed the incident to The Guardian, stating that the explosion occurred in the early hours of yesterday, and claimed two lives.

Jikantoro explained that the affected bridge is the only commercial route that facilitates businesses in the kingdom.

The traditional title holder further revealed that the terrorist group, whose camp is located in Kanji Lake National Park, was behind the mass killings at Kasuwan Daji, Wawa, and Woro in the Kaiama council area of Kwara State in recent times, as well as the attack in Agwara town.