At least five people have been confirmed dead, and many others injured following a gunpowder explosion at the Talata Mafara market in Zamfara State on Tuesday.
The explosion, which occurred around 11:30 am on Tuesday, sent shockwaves through the market, injuring more than 50 traders and shoppers in the area where locally fabricated guns are sold.
The two victims who tragically lost their lives, Muhammad Lawal Matusgi and Sani Adamu Kanarkalgo, were rushed to Sokoto’s Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital after suffering extensive burns. Despite medical efforts, they succumbed to their injuries.
A medical worker at Talata Mafara’s General Hospital, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the facility as already overwhelmed before the explosion. “We received many victims, some with first-degree burns, but due to a lack of resources and space, we had no choice but to refer the others to Sokoto for urgent treatment,” the source explained.
The Red Cross confirmed the tragic event, with Divisional Secretary Mu’azu Yusuf sharing that former Governor Abdulazeez Yari provided transport for all the injured, including those initially treated at Talata Mafara, to Sokoto for specialized care.
A local government official, also speaking anonymously, described the explosion as “devastating,” highlighting that the blast affected other sections of the market. “This is the largest market in our area, and for a long time, there have been concerns about the presence of Dane gun dealers in this section, yet nothing was done to address it.
Just last year, a young girl was killed in an accidental discharge in the same area. We are now calling on the government to relocate these gun dealers to a safer location outside town,” the official said.
While there is growing demand to ban Dane gun sales, the official emphasized that villagers rely on these weapons for self-defense against bandit attacks, suggesting a need for balance rather than a complete ban.
Zamfara State Police Command spokesman, ASP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the explosion but stated that he was still gathering full details. “I’ve just returned from Abuja, but I’ll be receiving a full briefing from the Divisional Police Officer in Talata Mafara and will provide more information shortly,” he assured.
This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious concerns about safety and the regulation of hazardous materials in the market.
