Four Children Killed, One Injured in Borno Motor Park IED Explosion

Four children have died and another was critically injured following an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday. The blast occurred around 12:40 p.m. behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward, according to the Borno State Police Command.

The incident came to light when resident Babagana Mohammed alerted the authorities approximately 20 minutes after the explosion. The Divisional Police Officer in Banki, accompanied by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, quickly secured the scene.

Preliminary investigations suggest the children had taken refuge in a makeshift shelter behind the motor park and were reportedly playing with an explosive device allegedly collected from the bush. The device detonated, killing Awana Mustapha, 15, Malum Modu, 14, Lawan Ibrahim, 12, and Modu Abacha, 12. The sole survivor, 12-year-old Mustapha Tijja, sustained severe shrapnel injuries and was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO clinic in Banki, where he is receiving treatment.

ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the police spokesperson, described the explosion as a tragic and preventable loss. He emphasized the dangers of insurgency-related explosives still present in the region and urged the public to avoid handling unfamiliar objects or suspected devices, reporting them immediately to the authorities.

The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. Authorities have since restored normalcy in the area, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.