An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State has left five children injured, with one losing a hand.
The explosion occurred at around 14:25 hours on Thursday, May 8, 2025, when the children unknowingly tampered with IEDs hidden in block holes near a culvert along the access road to the ongoing construction site of the New Mafa Central Mosque, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama.
The victims, four boys and one girl, were identified as Abdullahi Umar, Musa Mele, Fatima Abatcha, Abba Kawu Muhammed, and Khalid Alhaji Bukar, all from Mafa town. The blast resulted in varying degrees of injury, with one of the boys losing his hand.
In response, a joint team comprising the Explosive Ordinance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, police from Mafa Division, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) quickly secured the area and searched for secondary devices. Cans used as improvised containers for the IED were discovered and safely detonated.
Four of the injured children were transferred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for treatment, while the child with minor injuries was treated and discharged at Mafa General Hospital.
Following the attack, the EOD-CBRN team conducted Explosive Ordinance Risk Education (EORE) sessions for children and local residents to raise awareness and prevent future incidents.
