At least 50 people narrowly escaped death on Tuesday when a gunpowder explosion rocked a bustling market in Talata-Mafara, Zamfara State.

According to reports, the injured victims were initially rushed to the General Hospital Talata-Mafara before being transferred to Usman Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, for specialized medical care.

A medical worker at the General Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating, “The patients had to be evacuated to Sokoto because we lack the necessary facilities to treat them here.”

How the Explosion Happened

An eyewitness, Aminu Mohammed, explained that the explosion was caused by a locally made gun that went off in the market, igniting a powdered substance used for making local firearms.

“One of the vigilante group members came to buy the powdered material for his gun when his weapon suddenly exploded, triggering a massive fire,” he recounted.

Mohammed added that over 50 people sustained severe injuries, while several others suffered minor wounds as they scrambled to flee the chaotic scene.

“The fire could have razed the entire market if not for the quick intervention of security personnel and firefighters,” he noted.

Authorities Respond

The Chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, Yahaya Yari, stated that he accompanied the injured victims to Sokoto for treatment but declined further comments.

Efforts to reach Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Yazid Abubakar, for an official statement were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.