A tragic explosion in Banki, a border community in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, has claimed the lives of four teenagers after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on Friday.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Nahum Daso, who disclosed that the blast occurred behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
According to the police, the victims had unknowingly been handling the explosive device—believed to have been picked from the bush—when it suddenly went off.
“At about 12:40 hours, the command received a report of an IED explosion behind Banki Motor Park,” the statement noted. “A resident, Babagana Mohammed, alerted the police around 1:00 pm, prompting the Divisional Police Officer in Banki to mobilise operatives and explosive ordnance experts to the scene.”
The area was immediately secured as investigators assessed the extent of the damage.
Four boys—identified as Awana Mustapha (15), Malum Modu (14), Lawan Ibrahim (12), and Modu Abacha (12)—were confirmed dead.
A fifth boy, 12-year-old Mustapha Tijja, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO clinic for urgent medical treatment. Police say he is responding positively.
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Further investigation revealed that the injured boy and his friends had gathered in a makeshift shelter near the motor park, where the victims were already playing with the device before it exploded.
Police authorities have since restored calm to the area as inquiries continue.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed condolences to the bereaved families, warning residents—particularly children—against touching unfamiliar objects, especially in communities vulnerable to remnants of explosive materials.
He urged members of the public to report any strange items to the nearest police formations without delay.