At least four boys suspected to be scavengers have lost their lives in an explosion in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Local and security sources revealed that the incident happened at Bayan Tasha area, Banki town, on Friday.
The spokesman, Borno State Police command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, saying another boy who sustained injury is currently responding to treatment.
He gave the names of the deceased as Awana Mustapha 15; Malum Modu,14; Lawan Ibrahim,12; and Modu Abacha 12.
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“The 12-year-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,” he said.
One of the sources told our correspondents that two of the victims were of the same parents, their cousin brother, and a neighbor’s son.
“Our investigation shows that, two days ago, the boys between the ages of 12 and 15, picked the explosive device from the outskirts and brought it into their home, misken it as scrap metal.
“Their parents confirmed that they saw it and asked them to return it but they refused. They were trying to dismantle it when the bomb went up and killed four of them inside the room.
“The room was also burnt down completely, including their parents cloths and food items,” one of the security sources said.
He also revealed that the parents where Internally Displaced persons taking refuge in an abandoned church building.
However, the Commissioner of Police condoled the affected families and warned members of the public, especially children, to avoid playing with strange objects.
He also asked people to promptly report any suspected items sighted at the nearest police station.
