Abbas reacts as bomb kills 7 in Zamfara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has condemned the bomb explosion in Zamfara State that claimed the lives of seven passengers.

The incident occurred on Saturday along the Magami–Dansadau highway in Maru Local Government Area, where suspected terrorists reportedly planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The device detonated as a commercial bus conveying passengers drove over it, killing seven people instantly.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas described the attack as “cowardly and unfortunate.”

He noted that the incident came shortly after the Nigerian and United States governments launched a joint counterterrorism operation, which reportedly included strikes on terrorist hideouts in parts of the North-West.

According to the Speaker, the Federal Government has introduced new strategic security measures aimed at curbing criminal activities, stressing that terrorism, banditry and other threats to national security would continue to be firmly resisted.

Abbas also said Nigerians have demonstrated resolve in supporting the administration of President Bola Tinubu in addressing threats to lives and property across the country.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to provide the necessary legislative and budgetary backing to security agencies in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

The Speaker expressed condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of Zamfara State, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

Zamfara State remains one of the states most affected by insecurity in the North-West, with persistent incidents linked to banditry, terrorism and kidnapping. Armed groups operating from forested areas, including the Dansadau, Tsafe and Anka axes, have frequently attacked communities, ambushed travellers and targeted security formations.

Despite ongoing military operations and joint security task forces, attacks on highways, rural communities and farmlands have continued, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of residents and disruption of economic activities.

The increasing use of IEDs along major roads has also emerged as a growing threat to commuters and security operatives in the region.