Four teenagers have been killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in Banki, located in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, explaining that the explosion occurred behind the Banki Motor Park in Wajari Ward.
According to the police, the victims had been playing with the device, which they were believed to have found in the bush, when it went off.
Daso said the police received the report at about 1:00pm from a resident, Babagana Mohammed.
Following the alert, the Divisional Police Officer in Banki, alongside Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, moved to the location and secured the area.
One child, 12-year-old Mustapha Tijja, survived the blast but sustained serious injuries.
He was taken to the FHI 360 clinic in Banki and is reportedly receiving treatment.
Preliminary findings showed that Mustapha and four of his friends had entered a makeshift shelter behind the motor park, where the deceased teenagers were handling the explosive device when it suddenly detonated.
The four victims were identified as 15-year-old Awana Mustapha, 14-year-old Malum Modu, and two 12-year-olds, Lawan Ibrahim and Modu Abacha.
The police spokesperson added that calm had been restored in the community and that a full investigation was underway.
Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, expressed sympathy to the families affected and urged the public particularly children to avoid touching suspicious items or unexplained metal objects, and to report any such discoveries to security agencies immediately.