Three police officers have been killed following the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Anka–Bagega road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Security sources said the incident occurred on June 15 at about 5:05 p.m. when the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, SP Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, led a team to the area to detonate a suspected explosive device believed to have been planted by armed bandits.

The team, which included personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), was reportedly conducting a controlled clearance operation using an armoured personnel carrier when the vehicle accidentally triggered the explosive device.

The explosion resulted in the immediate death of SP Abdulrazak Musa Hassan, Inspector Murtala Musa of the VCRU, and Inspector Auwal Ahmad attached to the EOD unit.

Their bodies were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, for post-mortem examination.

Authorities said the remains of the officers have been deposited at the hospital morgue, while investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Security operations in the area have since been reinforced as efforts continue to clear the road and prevent further attacks. (Zagazola, but headline rejigged)