Borno State in North East Nigeria has been grappling with the devastating impact of Boko Haram insurgency for over 15 years.
Borno State Police Command on Friday reported a heartbreaking incident in Banki, Bama Local Government Area, where four children were killed and one severely injured after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected terrorist, detonated behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
Confirming the incident in Maiduguri, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said the explosion occurred at about 12:40 p.m.
He disclosed that a resident, Babagana Mohammed, alerted the police around 1:00 p.m., prompting the Divisional Police Officer in Banki to deploy personnel alongside Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts to the scene.
According to Daso, preliminary findings showed that 12-year-old Mustapha Tijja, who survived with serious injuries, was rushed to the FHI 360 NGO Clinic in Banki.
“Further findings revealed that 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 before it detonated,” he said.
He listed the deceased as Awana Mustapha, 15; Malum Modu, 14; Lawan Ibrahim, 12; and Modu Abacha, 12. Daso added that normalcy had been restored while investigation remained ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed deep sympathy over the tragic loss of lives and urged residents—especially children—never to touch unfamiliar objects.
He reminded the public to promptly report suspicious items using the emergency contacts provided: 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.
*Police rescue 2 kidnapped boys*
In a separate development, the Borno Police Command recorded a major breakthrough in Jere Local Government Area after rescuing two kidnapped boys aged four and five.
ASP Nahun Daso, who also confirmed the operation, said the rescue reflected the ongoing efforts by Commissioner Abdulmajid to curb kidnapping and violent crimes across the state. He explained that the ordeal began on Thursday when three children were reported missing in the Jan Block area, prompting an immediate investigation.
Later that day, one child was found dropped at the entrance of his home with a note demanding ₦10 million ransom for the release of the remaining two boys.
Daso said police operatives from Jere Division mounted a strategic ambush at the location where the ransom was to be collected. “At about 0300 hours, the abductors, upon suspecting police presence, abandoned the two boys and the decoy ransom and fled. Due to poor visibility, attempts to arrest the fleeing suspects were not successful,” he explained.
The two boys were recovered unhurt and reunited with their family.
He added that the Commissioner of Police had ordered a discreet investigation to track down the fleeing kidnappers, while also directing Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to intensify patrols, conduct aggressive stop-and-search operations and maintain high-visibility policing to curb the rising wave of violent crimes.
Residents were again encouraged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious movement to nearby police stations using the emergency numbers: 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.
