By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A driver lost his life on Sunday afternoon after his vehicle, loaded with yams, ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Lumma–Babanna road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The IED was suspected to have been planted by terrorists operating in the area.
Sources told Daily Trust that the explosion occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. A motorcycle rider was also reportedly shot dead by the attackers after the device was planted.
Residents said the incident happened on an alternative route created by motorists following the recent bombing of the main Lumma–Babanna bridge.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the makeshift road had become necessary after the destruction of the major bridge linking the communities.
“As I am speaking with you now, there was another bomb attack in the area this afternoon. Many lives were lost when a commercial vehicle stepped on an IED suspected to have been planted by terrorists.
“The economic importance of this road cannot be overstated. It is a federal road linking Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states to the Republic of Benin. The Babanna border market relies heavily on it, and millions of people depend on the route for their livelihoods.
“From Wawa to Lumma, Shagunu, Babanna, and Konkoso, there is no alternative access road apart from this one whose bridge was destroyed. It is also a major corridor for travellers from Sokoto to Ibadan and Lagos.
“There are no tertiary healthcare facilities in this axis—only primary healthcare centres. For over a month, referrals of critical cases have been disrupted, leading to increased mortality.
“Even if the government repairs the bridge, without addressing the security challenges in the forest, the terrorists may continue to destroy infrastructure,” the resident said.
He added that after the destruction of the main bridge, motorists created an alternative path for smaller vehicles, which later became the site of another IED attack.
Recall that on March 23, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m., suspected terrorists believed to be operating from the Kainji National Park detonated an explosive device, destroying the bridge linking the Lumma, Babanna, and Agwara communities.
Security sources said the bridge was targeted to disrupt ongoing security operations in the area.
The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the latest incident.
“On 05/04/26 at about 2:50 p.m., an improvised explosive device suspected to have been planted by bandits exploded on a makeshift bypass created by road users beside the damaged bridge along Lumma road.
“The attackers also shot dead a motorcyclist. A truck en route to Wawa stepped on another IED, which exploded, damaging the vehicle, and the driver was fatally affected.
“Joint security teams have been deployed to the area, and further developments will be communicated,” he said.
In a related development, bandits have reportedly abducted an unspecified number of artisanal miners at a mining site in Mai Dangi, near Mangoro in Mariga Local Government Area.
Residents said the armed men stormed the site on Saturday afternoon and shot a young girl who attempted to flee.
Reacting to the report, the police spokesperson said the command would verify the incident and provide updates.
Daily Trust