Tragedy struck in Banki town, Borno State, on Friday, December 5, 2025, as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward, killing four children and leaving one severely injured.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso.
The explosion occurred at about 12:40 p.m., and was reported to the police roughly 20 minutes later by a resident, Babagana Mohammed.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer in Banki, accompanied by a team of officers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, cordoned off the area and commenced investigations.
Preliminary findings revealed that five boys had entered a makeshift room behind the motor park, where they began playing with what appeared to be an explosive device allegedly picked up from the bush.
The device exploded, killing four of them instantly.
The victims were identified as Awana Mustapha, aged 15; Malum Modu, 14; Lawan Ibrahim, 12; and Modu Abacha, 12.
A fifth child, 12-year-old Mustapha Tijja, sustained severe injuries from shrapnel and was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO Clinic in Banki.
Police said he is responding to treatment.
The police command noted that normalcy has been restored in the area while investigations continue.
Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and cautioned residents, particularly children, against touching or playing with unfamiliar objects that could be explosive devices.
He urged the public to report suspicious items immediately.
