The Borno 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, ASP Nahum Daso, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that the explosion occurred at about 12:40 p.m. behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
He said that at about 1:00 p.m., 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.
Mr Daso 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 that 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.
The spokesman listed the deceased as Awana Mustapha, 15; Malum Modu, 14; Lawan Ibrahim, 12; and Modu Abacha, 12.
He said normalcy had been restored in the area while investigation was ongoing.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in Borno, Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and warned the residents, especially children, against touching strange objects or suspected explosives.
He urged members of the public to report any suspicious items to the nearest police station, providing emergency contacts: 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.