The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that four children were killed and one injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion on Friday in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer and an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed this.
In a statement he issued in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Daso said the explosion occurred at about 12:40pm behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
He said that at about 1pm, one Babagana Mohammed of Wajari Ward reported the incident to the police, prompting the Divisional Police Officer in Banki to mobilise personnel and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians to the scene.
He said preliminary investigation indicated that a 12-year-old boy, Mustapha Tijja, sustained serious injuries from the explosion and was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO Clinic in Banki, where he is currently receiving treatment.
He explained that further findings revealed the injured boy had gone with four of his friends to a makeshift room behind the motor park where the victims were playing with an IED allegedly picked from the bush before it detonated.
- 60 Diamond Years: Mohammed Idris, restorer of trust in public communication, by Rabiu Ibrahim
- Breaking: Hajj 2026: Inaugural flight moved from Ogun to Abuja, Kogi
- Coalition of Kogi Women purchase APC Senatorial forms for Yahaya Bello, says it’s reward for good governance
- 2027: Surulere leaders endorse ex-Sanwo-Olu aide for Lagos Assembly seat
- Obi, Kwankwaso to exit ADC on Monday — Galadima
The spokesman listed the deceased as Awana Mustapha, 15; Malum Modu, 14; Lawan Ibrahim, 12; and Modu Abacha, 12.
Daso said normalcy had been restored in the area while investigation was ongoing.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in Borno State, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and warned the residents, especially children, against touching strange objects or suspected explosives.
Abdulmajid urged the members of the public to report any suspicious items to the nearest police station, providing emergency contacts: 08068075581 and 08023473293.
