BREAKING: Many Feared Killed, Injured As Explosion Motor Park
A devastating improvised explosive device (IED) blast has killed four children and left another critically injured on Friday in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, the police have confirmed.
According to the Borno State Police Command, the explosion occurred at about 12:40pm behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
The tragedy came to light when a resident, Babagana Mohammed, reported the incident to the police roughly 20 minutes later.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Banki, accompanied by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, immediately moved to the scene and secured the area.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, describing the explosion as a tragic and avoidable loss of young lives.
Preliminary findings indicate that a group of boys had taken refuge in a makeshift shelter behind the motor park, where they were reportedly playing with an explosive device allegedly picked from the bush — a grim reminder of the region’s long exposure to insurgency-related remnants of war.
The sole survivor, 12-year-old Mustapha Tijja, sustained severe injuries from shrapnel and was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO clinic in Banki.
Police say he is currently responding to treatment.
The four children killed in the blast were identified as: Awana Mustapha 15, Malum Modu 14, Lawan Ibrahim 12 and Modu Abacha 12.
The statement read, “At about 1300hrs one Babagana Mohammed ‘M’ of Wajari Ward reported to the Police. Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Banki and team, in conjunction with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, were immediately mobilised to the scene where the area was cordoned off.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that a 12yrs old boy, One Mustapha Tijja, sustained serious injuries from the IED fragments and was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO Clinic, Banki, for medical treatment, where he is currently responding to treatment.
“Further findings indicate that the injured boy had gone with four of his friends to a makeshift room behind the motor park, where the deceased were playing with an IED allegedly picked from the bush, when it accidentally exploded.”
The spokesperson noted that normalcy has since been restored in the area. Investigation is ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, has expressed deep condolences to the affected families and strongly warned members of the public, especially children, to avoid playing with strange objects or suspected explosive devices, and to promptly report such sightings to the nearest police station.”
