No fewer than five people have been confirmed dead, and many others injured following a gunpowder explosion at the Talata Mafara market in Zamfara State on Tuesday, 18 February, 2025.
The explosion, which occurred around 11:30 am, reportedly injured more than 50 traders and customers in the section of the market where locally fabricated guns are sold.
It was gathered that the blast originated near a blacksmith’s shop.
According to an eyewitness, Muhammad Aliyu, “The explosion happened at the blacksmith’s tent in the market. I was very lucky—I had just left the area when I heard the explosion, and then the fire broke out.
“As I speak to you now, we have found five dead bodies, burned beyond recognition, and more than 50 people have sustained varying degrees of injuries. They are currently receiving treatment at the Talata Mafara General Hospital”.
A medical worker at the General Hospital, Talata Mafara, who spoke anonymously, said the facility was already overstretched before the incident.
“We received many victims, some with first-degree burns, but due to a lack of space and resources, we had to refer several others to Sokoto,” he said.
Confirming the development, Divisional Secretary of the Red Cross, Mu’azu Yusuf, said former Governor Abdulazeez Yari provided vehicles to transport all the injured, including those initially admitted at Talata Mafara General Hospital, to Sokoto for specialist care.
A local government worker, who requested anonymity, described the explosion as devastating, adding that other sections of the market were affected.
“This is the biggest market in our area, and many people had raised concerns about the presence of Dane gun dealers, but nothing was done by the authorities.
“Just last year, a young girl was killed due to an accidental discharge in the same section of the market. We are calling on the government to relocate the gun sellers to a safer place outside town,” he said.
However, he dismissed calls for a ban on Dane gun sales, insisting that villagers depend on them for self-defense against bandits.
The spokesman of the Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the explosion but said he had yet to receive full details.
“I just returned from Abuja, but I will get the full briefing from the Divisional Police Officer in Talata Mafara and provide an update,” he said.
Source: The Punch online
