Four teenagers have been killed by an improvised explosive device, IED, in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Borno State Police Command Public Relations Officer Nahum Daso confirmed the tragedy in a statement on Friday, explaining that the device went off behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
Police report indicates that the victims were playing with the device, suspected to have been picked up from the bush, when it detonated.
The statement reads, “The Borno State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a tragic Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion that occurred today, December 5, 2025, at about 12:40 pm behind Banki Motor Park, Wajari Ward, Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“At about 1 pm, one Babagana Mohammed of Wajari Ward reported the incident to the Police. Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Banki and his team, in collaboration with Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, were immediately mobilised to the scene, which was subsequently cordoned off.”
Daso also disclosed that a 12-year-old boy, Mustapha Tijja, was badly injured in the blast and transported to the FHI 360 clinic in Banki, where he is currently receiving care and improving.
“Further investigations revealed 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,” he said.
The victims have been identified as Awana Mustapha, 15; Malum Modu, 14; Lawan Ibrahim, 12; and Modu Abacha, 12.
Daso added that calm has returned to the area and that a full investigation into the incident is currently underway.
Explosive kills four teenagers in Borno
