An early-morning explosion in Nigeria’s Kwara state killed at least one person, police said, deepening fear in the troubled region.
The blast, believed to be from an improvised explosive device, struck a commercial vehicle traveling near Woro in Kaiama district.
Authorities said the number of injured remains unclear as police launched an immediate investigation into the deadly incident, a spokesperson confirmed.
Kwara state has become a growing front for militants advancing southward, following previous attacks that left over 160 dead in February.
No group has claimed responsibility, but residents and officials fear the incident signals expanding insurgent activity across north-central Nigeria.
“This is another trauma again because people are afraid. Likely, some people will leave the community again,” said village head Umar Bio Salihu.
Militant groups in the north have increasingly attacked communities and military posts, sometimes overrunning camps to weaken Nigeria’s security forces.
Earlier this year, the United States deployed troops to train Nigerian forces in counterinsurgency operations against the escalating militant threat.
President Bola Tinubu previously dispatched the military to Kwara following the February massacre, underscoring the government’s struggle to contain violence.
The latest explosion leaves residents anxious and highlights persistent security gaps, as militants continue to challenge authorities and spread terror.