A powerful explosion ripped through a shop selling locally made firearms at the Talata Mafara Central Market in Zamfara State on Tuesday, leaving four people dead and at least 20 others severely injured.
The blast, which occurred in the heart of the bustling market, sent shockwaves through the community, triggering panic as traders and shoppers scrambled for safety. SaharaReporters, citing eyewitness accounts, confirmed the tragic incident via its official X handle.
A resident who spoke to SaharaReporters over the phone described the harrowing scene.
“The explosion happened suddenly, causing chaos. People were running in different directions, and many were caught in the blast. Several bodies were on the ground, and many others were bleeding profusely,” the source recounted.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters captures the aftermath of the explosion, showing victims—mostly traders—writhing in pain as bystanders attempted to offer aid amid the confusion.
While the exact cause of the blast remains unconfirmed by authorities, an eyewitness told SaharaReporters that it originated from a shop dealing in locally manufactured firearms, a trade that has grown in some parts of northern Nigeria due to escalating insecurity.
Zamfara State has long struggled with rampant banditry, kidnappings, and other violent crimes, leading to an increase in the circulation of homemade firearms, often used for self-defence. However, the tragic explosion underscores the dangers posed by the unregulated sale and storage of such weapons in public spaces.
Efforts to get an official response from Zamfara State Police Commissioner, Yezid Abubakar, proved futile. Multiple calls placed to his phone on Tuesday evening indicated ‘user busy,’ and he has yet to respond to text messages or WhatsApp inquiries.
As investigations into the incident continue, residents and security analysts are calling for stricter regulations on arms sales to prevent further tragedies of this nature.
PIONEER NEWS 