A devastating explosion involving an improvised explosive device has claimed the lives of four teenagers in Banki, located in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday. According to him, the device detonated behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
Police reports indicate that the victims had been playing with the device, which they allegedly picked from the bush, before it exploded. The statement noted that the tragedy occurred at about 12:40 pm.
Daso explained that around 1:00 pm, a resident identified as Babagana Mohammed reported the incident to the police. The Divisional Police Officer in Banki immediately mobilised a team alongside Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians to secure and cordon off the area.
The authorities recovered two bodies at the scene, while a twelve year old boy, Mustapha Tijja, sustained serious injuries. He was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO clinic in Banki, where he is said to be responding to treatment.
According to further investigations, the injured boy had gone with four of his friends to a makeshift room behind the motor park where the deceased were playing with the device before it accidentally exploded.
The deceased teenagers were identified as Awana Mustapha aged fifteen, Malum Modu aged fourteen, Lawan Ibrahim aged twelve, and Modu Abacha aged twelve.
Daso added that normalcy has since returned to the community as investigation continues. He also conveyed the condolences of the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, who strongly warned residents especially children to avoid touching strange objects or suspected explosives and to immediately report such sightings to the nearest police station.
