Kwara bus steps on explosive device, many killed

Ebun Emmanuel — 24, 2026

Many persons are feared dead following a bomb explosion near the Woro Village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident involved a commercial bus and occurred on Monday, March 23, 2026, around 07.43am.

According to the military, the incident occurred when a vehicle travelling from Wurumakoto Village to New Bussa in Niger State struck an improvised explosive device (IED).

The driver, identified as Mallam Zunairu, reportedly drove over the planted device unknowingly, triggering an explosion that killed him instantly and left several passengers severely injured, while others are feared dead.

The military confirmed that victims with serious injuries were evacuated to the General Hospital New Bussa for urgent treatment, though the exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed. Security officials believe the explosive device was planted by armed groups operating in the area, suspected to be responsible for a similar deadly attack in the Woro axis last month.

The military said, “Joint security operatives have since been deployed in the scene.”

It added that during clearance operations, another explosive device was discovered and successfully defused by specialists from a Nigerian Army base in Kaiama.

Authorities noted that despite increased security presence along the Kaiama–Woro corridor, criminal groups appear to have shifted tactics by using improvised explosive devices. The area has experienced rising insecurity in recent weeks. In February, Woro Village witnessed a large-scale attack in which scores of residents were killed and many others abducted.