Youths from Magami area in Zamfara State have called on national security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to conduct a thorough investigation into the recent bomb explosion along the Gusau–Magami road, in order to determine its cause and reassure the public.
The call was contained in a statement issued by the Magami Youth Community Development Association and signed by its Secretary, Usman Garba. The group expressed deep concern over the recurrence of the incident at a time when discussions are ongoing on security challenges and the progress of the Gusau–Magami road construction project.
According to the association, the explosion occurred just days after it had earlier urged authorities to pay closer attention to the worsening security situation and to provide clearer information on how the 102-kilometre Gusau–Magami road project is being executed. It noted that repeated explosions occurring under similar circumstances have continued to heighten fear among residents.
The statement recalled that about a year ago, shortly after the road project was announced with a contract sum of ₦82 billion, a bomb explosion occurred on the same route. It added that after the declaration of Phase Two of the project, which involved an additional contract of nearly ₦100 billion, a similar incident was again recorded, stressing that such developments require in-depth investigation to dispel suspicion and establish the truth.
The group said the repeated explosions have further unsettled the community, especially given the long-standing security challenges in the area. It also expressed concern that despite nearly two years since the commencement of the project, not even a few kilometres of the road have been completed, despite continuous increases in budgetary allocations.
The association further observed that security usually improves whenever top government officials visit the area, only to deteriorate afterwards, a situation it said underscores the need for closer scrutiny of how security arrangements are planned and sustained. It also called for the investigation of reports claiming that some residents received warnings before the most recent explosion, in order to verify their authenticity and prevent future occurrences.
The youths therefore urged security agencies to carry out an independent, transparent and urgent investigation into all bomb explosions recorded along the Magami road, including the latest incident, and to make the findings public to restore peace and confidence.
They emphasized that security is a prerequisite for development, while also calling on the Zamfara State Government to continue fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property and to provide clear information on the execution of the Gusau–Magami road project to promote trust and cooperation between the government and the people.