Casualties Reported Following Bus Bombing in Kwara

A bomb blast involving a commercial bus near Woro Village in the Kaiama Local Government Area has led to fears of several casualties.

The military reported that the incident transpired in the early hours of Monday, March 23, 2026, at approximately 07:43 AM. A vehicle traveling from Wurumakoto Village to New Bussa in Niger State unintentionally ran over an improvised explosive device (IED).

The driver, named Mallam Zunairu, reportedly detonated the device upon driving over it, resulting in his immediate death and causing severe injuries to numerous passengers, with some feared dead.

Authorities confirmed that those who sustained serious injuries were rushed to the General Hospital in New Bussa for emergency medical care, but the total number of casualties has yet to be officially disclosed. Security operatives suspect that the explosive device was planted by armed groups known to operate in the region, believed to have executed a similar deadly attack in the Woro area the month prior.

In a statement, the military indicated, 'Joint security operatives have since been dispatched to the location.' They noted that during the subsequent clearance operations, a second explosive device was found and safely defused by experts from a Nigerian Army base situated in Kaiama.

Officials acknowledged that while security presence along the Kaiama–Woro route has been heightened, criminal factions appear to be adopting new tactics, utilizing improvised explosive devices. The region has seen a rise in insecurity in recent weeks; earlier in February, Woro Village experienced a major assault, resulting in numerous fatalities and the abduction of many residents.