Sokoto State was plunged into sorrow on Sunday after a bomb exploded in Gwabro village, Tangaza Local Government Area, killing six people during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The Sokoto State Police confirmed the deaths through their spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, though he did not provide further details about the blast. The explosion took place in the afternoon, a time when many families were busy visiting loved ones, as part of the traditional Eid festivities.
An eyewitness, Hashimu, told reporters that the blast happened while young people were moving from village to village, paying visits to friends and family as part of the celebrations.
“Many young people were travelling around to greet relatives when the bomb went off,” he said.
The tragedy has shocked the local communities who were celebrating the festival with joy before the blast turned the day into one of grief.
Village sources and local leaders suspect the Lakurawa terrorist group to be behind the deadly explosion. The group has been terrorising communities in Tangaza and neighbouring Gudu Local Government Areas for months, creating fear and disrupting the peace.
An aide to the Tangaza Local Government Chairman, Garzali Raka, confirmed that the victims had been buried according to Islamic customs.
“The deceased were given proper Islamic burial rites by the community,” the aide said.
Residents of the affected villages have called on the government to take urgent and firm action to end the violence by the Lakurawa terrorists. They expressed fears that continued attacks could further destabilise the region and harm communal harmony.
“We appeal to the government to come to our aid and protect us from these terrorists who have caused suffering in our land,” one local elder said.
Sokoto State, located in Nigeria’s Northwest, has experienced rising insecurity over recent years. Terrorist groups such as the Lakurawa have been accused of carrying out attacks including bombings, kidnappings, and killings in various local government areas.
Eid-el-Kabir, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most important Islamic celebrations, marked by prayers, feasts, and visits between families. It is a time when communities come together in peace and joy.
The bomb blast in Gwabro during such a sacred festival has deeply saddened many and raised questions about the safety of citizens during public events.
Security experts and community leaders believe that more must be done to secure vulnerable areas in Sokoto State. Despite increased military and police patrols, terror groups continue to find ways to strike, especially in rural communities.
The residents of Tangaza and Gudu are urging the state and federal governments to improve intelligence gathering and security presence in the region to prevent further attacks.
“We cannot continue to live in fear every time there is a festival or public gathering,” a community leader lamented.
The Sokoto State government is yet to issue a formal statement on the incident or outline measures to address the recent attack. However, police investigations are ongoing, and the authorities are expected to provide updates soon.
As Sokoto mourns the loss of six lives in the Gwabro blast, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the persistent security challenges facing many parts of northern Nigeria.
For now, families continue to grieve, while communities pray for peace and safety in future celebrations.
