Eight persons are feared dead after an improvised explosive device, IED, detonated on a vehicle in Niger State.

The incident occurred on Monday along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area, where suspected terrorists had earlier planted explosives and destroyed a key bridge linking Luma, Babana and Agwara communities.

Reports indicate that the victims were travelling in a vehicle moving between Nuku and Woro when it ran over the IED, triggering an explosion that killed all eight occupants, including the driver.

The destroyed bridge is a vital route for residents, particularly those accessing the Babana border market, a major trading hub that holds every Monday.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the bridge was bombed by suspected terrorists in the early hours of Monday.

According to him, the attack occurred at about 2 a.m., while the report was received around 6:30 a.m.

He added that security operatives have intensified clearance operations in the area, with monitoring ongoing to prevent further attacks.