The incident happened on Thursday, August 7, 2026, after security operatives received a report that an unidentified object suspected to be an IED had been planted along a major route in the community.
In response, a combined team was quickly mobilized. The team included personnel of CSI Battalion VI/CT 2 under the Joint Task Force North-West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, stationed at Forward Operating Base Kaura Namoda. They were joined by operatives of the 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force and a specialized EOD team from the Nigeria Police Force.
Military sources said the joint team moved swiftly to Jabanda Village to assess the situation. On arrival, the area was cordoned off to prevent civilian access while the bomb experts carried out a sweep of the location. After a careful search, the suspected explosive device was located at a point along the road.
The EOD team then proceeded to safely handle and recover the device. Officials did not disclose the exact nature of the explosive at the scene, but confirmed that it was taken into custody for further forensic examination.
Once the area was declared safe, troops cleared the route and announced that movement could resume. Motorists and residents who had been stranded were allowed to pass, bringing normal activities back to the road that links several communities in Zurmi LGA.
A security source familiar with the operation said the swift response prevented what could have been a major attack on civilians and security personnel. He noted that roads in parts of Zurmi and other border communities have been targeted in the past by armed groups seeking to disrupt movement and instill fear.
The successful clearance is part of ongoing operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the joint military campaign covering Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states. The operation has focused on degrading bandit networks, clearing major highways, and securing communities that have suffered repeated attacks.
Residents of Jabanda and nearby villages expressed relief at the reopening of the road. Many said they had been forced to take longer and more dangerous alternative routes since the report of the suspected device surfaced. Traders and transporters said the closure had affected commerce, as goods and passengers could not move freely.
Local leaders in Zurmi commended the Army and Police for the quick intervention. They urged security agencies to sustain patrols and intelligence gathering to prevent future attempts to plant explosives on major roads.
The recovery also comes at a time when security forces have intensified efforts to protect rural communities and critical routes across the North-West. Commanders of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have repeatedly said that securing roads is key to restoring economic activities and allowing farmers to access their fields during the farming season.
The recovered device has been handed over to relevant authorities for further analysis. Security agencies said investigations are ongoing to determine who planted it and whether it is linked to any of the armed groups operating in the area.
Authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects or movements to security forces immediately. They stressed that public cooperation has been vital in preventing attacks and in ensuring that roads remain safe for use.
For now, movement along the Jabanda route has returned to normal, with troops maintaining a presence in the area to deter further threats.
The military said it will continue to work with police, local vigilantes, and community members to ensure that Zamfara’s roads are safe and that those behind acts of sabotage are tracked down and brought to justice.
