Tragedy struck in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State on Wednesday, May 8, 2025, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded, injuring five children. One of the victims, a young boy, lost his hand in the blast.
The incident occurred at about 2:25 p.m. near a culvert close to the construction site of the new Mafa Central Mosque. According to reports, the children had unknowingly tampered with an explosive hidden inside holes in a block structure along the access road to the mosque.
The injured children were identified as Abdullahi Umar, Musa Mele, Fatima Abatcha, Abba Kawu Muhammed, and Khalid Alhaji Bukar — four boys and one girl, all residents of Mafa town.
Sources said that the IED was made using pieces of tin cans, which were found at the scene and later safely detonated by experts. The device is believed to have been left behind by insurgents during previous attacks in the area.
The blast caused different levels of injuries. One boy lost his hand, while the others sustained wounds of varying severity. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, including officers from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, police personnel from the Mafa Division, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The area was secured immediately after the blast. Security agents combed the surroundings for any additional explosive devices and ensured they were removed to prevent further harm. The bomb squad also collected and destroyed leftover IED materials.
Following the incident, four of the children were rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for advanced treatment, while the fifth, who had only minor injuries, was treated and discharged at the Mafa General Hospital.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the EOD-CBRN team carried out Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) for children and community members. This is aimed at raising awareness and teaching residents, especially children, how to identify and avoid dangerous objects that may be explosives.
Mafa, like many other parts of Borno State, has been affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and related acts of terror over the past decade. Although military operations have reduced large-scale attacks, the presence of hidden explosives and landmines remains a serious threat to civilians, especially in rural communities.
Security agencies have urged parents to watch over their children and report any suspicious objects or individuals to the authorities. Residents are also advised to stay clear of abandoned structures, suspicious containers, or objects lying around construction sites and roadsides.
Efforts are ongoing to clear remaining explosives in the region and prevent further tragedies.
