Several people are feared dead after a commercial bus triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) near Woro Village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, in an incident that has heightened fresh security concerns in the region.
According to military sources, the explosion occurred in the early hours of Monday, March 23, 2026, at about 7:43 a.m., when a passenger vehicle travelling from Wurumakoto Village in Kaiama LGA to New Bussa in Niger State reportedly ran over a planted explosive device.
The driver, identified as Mallam Zunairu, was said to have unknowingly driven over the device, which detonated on impact. He reportedly died instantly, while several passengers sustained severe injuries and others are feared dead.
Victims with critical injuries were immediately evacuated to General Hospital, New Bussa, where they are currently receiving emergency medical treatment. Authorities say the exact number of casualties is yet to be officially confirmed.
Security officials suspect the explosive device was planted by armed criminal groups operating within the area, believed to be linked to the same network responsible for the deadly attack recorded in the Woro axis last month.
In response, joint security personnel have been deployed to the scene to secure the area and prevent further attacks. During subsequent clearance operations, security operatives discovered another explosive device, which was successfully defused by bomb disposal experts from the Nigerian Army base in Kaiama.
Military authorities noted that despite intensified security patrols along the Kaiama–Woro corridor, criminal elements appear to have shifted tactics by deploying improvised explosive devices against civilian targets.
The latest explosion comes amid growing insecurity in Woro Village and neighbouring communities.
In February, the same area witnessed a major armed attack in which scores of residents were killed and several others abducted, deepening fears among local communities over renewed violence.
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