By Desire Emmanuel
Four children between the ages of 12 and 15 were killed while one other was injured when an improvised explosive device they were playing with went off at a community in Borno State, the state police command announced on Friday, December 5,
The tragic incident occurred on Friday afternoon behind Banki Motor Park, Wajari Ward, Banki, Bama Local Government Area of the state.
They were said to have picked the device from the bush and were playing with it at a makeshift room behind the motor park when it exploded.
According to the command, the names of those who died were Awana Mustapha (15 years), Malum Modu (14 years),
Lawan Ibrahim (12 years) and Modu Abacha (12 years).
The command disclosed that around 1:00 p.m., one Babagana Mohammed of Wajari Ward reported the incident to the police to the Police and immediately after receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Banki, in conjunction with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, were mobilised to the scene where the area was cordoned off.
The command wrote: “Preliminary investigation revealed that a 12-year-old boy, 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.
“Further findings indicate that the injured boy had gone with four of his friends to a makeshift room behind the motor park, where they were playing with an IED allegedly picked from the bush when it exploded killing the four victims and injuring him.
The command said though normalcy had been restored to the area, investigation into the unfortunate incident is ongoing.
