Yahaya Yari, the Chairman of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State, has confirmed that two people lost their lives and more than 44 others were injured.

The incident occurred following a locally made gunpowder explosion at the weekly market in Talata Mafara town on Tuesday afternoon.

The tragic incident occurred at the market, a popular weekly gathering, while it was in full swing. The explosion took place in an area where locally made firearms were being displayed and sold.

Yari disclosed further details of the incident to journalists on Wednesday.

He explained that, upon hearing the explosion, emergency responders quickly mobilized to the scene and worked swiftly to control the situation and provide aid to the victims.

He said that the initial treatment was administered at Talata Mafara General Hospital, where the injured were stabilized before being transferred for more specialized care.

“After receiving minor treatment at Talata Mafara General Hospital, we took all 44 injured victims to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto for further treatment,” Yari said.

He confirmed that, out of the 44 victims, two have unfortunately succumbed to their injuries. The remaining 42 individuals are reported to be receiving medical care and are currently in stable condition, responding well to treatment.

The explosion has raised concerns about the safety of the local markets, particularly with the display and sale of homemade firearms, which have been a regular feature in some areas.

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Yari expressed his sorrow over the incident and called for stricter measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

“This is a tragic incident, and we pray to Allah to prevent such occurrences in the future,” he said.

Yari also took the opportunity to call on the people of Zamfara State to continue praying for peace and stability in the region and across the country, urging them to remain hopeful for the restoration of order and safety in the state.

“We must remain united and committed to ensuring peace in our communities,” he added.

While authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the explosion, the local government has promised to take further steps to ensure the safety of market-goers and prevent the sale of dangerous weapons in the area.

The market, which attracts a large number of traders and customers every week, has become a focal point for local commerce, but incidents like this have cast a shadow over its future operations.

Residents and traders alike are awaiting more details from the authorities, hoping for reassurance that such a devastating event will not be repeated.

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