An explosion in the Talata Mafara weekly market in Zamfara State has claimed the lives of two victims while they were receiving treatment at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
The deceased, Muhammad Lawal Matusgi and Sani Adamu Kanarkalgo, were among those rushed to Sokoto after suffering severe burns from the blast, which occurred on Tuesday morning.
The explosion happened around 11:30 am in a section of the market where locally made guns are sold. Reports indicate that more than 50 traders and customers sustained injuries, with some suffering serious burns.
A medical worker at Talata Mafara General Hospital, who spoke anonymously, noted that the hospital was already overwhelmed 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.
The Divisional Secretary of the Red Cross, Mu’azu Yusuf, confirmed that former Governor Abdulazeez Yari provided vehicles to transport all injured persons, including those initially treated at Talata Mafara General Hospital, to Sokoto for advanced medical care.
A local government worker, who also requested anonymity, described the explosion as devastating and noted 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 rejected calls for a total ban on Dane gun sales, explaining that villagers rely on them for self-defense against bandits.
The Zamfara State Police Command Spokesman, ASP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the explosion but stated that 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.
