Police authorities have begun investigation into a fatal explosion caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that claimed the lives of four children and injured one other in the Bama Local Government Area.
Spokesman of the Nigeria police Command in Borno State, ASP Nahum Daso revealed in a statement that the incident happened while a 12-year-old boy, Mustapha Tijja.
The parent had gone with four of his friends to a makeshift room behind a motor park, where the deceased were playing with an IED allegedly picked from the bush, when it accidentally exploded.
“The Borno State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a tragic Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion that occurred today 5/12/2025 at about 1240hrs 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 (DPO) Banki and team, in conjunction with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, were immediately mobilized to the scene where the area was cordoned off”, according to the police.
The statement noted that “Preliminary investigation revealed that a 12yrs old boy, One Mustapha Tijja, sustained serious injuries from the IED fragments and was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO Clinic, Banki, for medical treatment, where he is currently responding to treatment”.
It also said further findings indicate 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. Normalcy has since been restored in the area. Investigation is ongoing.”
The police Commissioner in the State, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed deep condolences to the affected families and warned members of the public, especially children, to avoid playing with strange objects or suspected explosive devices, and to promptly report such sightings to the nearest police station in Borno State.
TheNewspad investigation revealed that the bomb site has been cleared by personnel of IED, while bodies of the victims have been evacuated.
This is so sad
May their young souls rest in perfect peace