Four teenagers have died in an explosion involving an improvised explosive device in Banki, located in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Nahum Daso, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Friday. He said the explosion occurred behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward while the victims were at the spot.
The police explained that the teenagers were said to be playing with the device, which they allegedly found in the bush, before it went off. The statement said, “The Borno State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a tragic Improvised Explosive Device explosion that occurred today, 5/12/2025, at about 12:40 hours behind Banki Motor Park, Wajari Ward, Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“At about 1300hrs, one Babagana Mohammed ‘M’ of Wajari Ward reported to the Police. Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer Banki and team, in conjunction with Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, were immediately mobilised to the scene, where the area was cordoned off.”
Daso said a 12 year old boy, Mustapha Tijja, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the FHI 360 NGO clinic in Banki. According to him, the boy is responding to treatment.
He added that findings showed 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 when it exploded.
The deceased were named as Awana Mustapha, 15, Malum Modu, 14, Lawan Ibrahim, 12, and Modu Abacha, 12.
Daso said normalcy had been restored to the area, adding that investigation is ongoing. He also quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, as sending condolences to the families and warning residents, especially children, to avoid strange objects or suspected explosive devices and report such sightings to the nearest police station.
