News
Bomb Blast Rocks Borno Community, Kills Four
A tragic bomb explosion shattered the fragile calm in Banki, a border community in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, on Friday, leaving four young boys dead and another seriously injured.
The incident, which occurred in the Bayan Tasha area of the insurgency-ravaged town, has once again drawn attention to the lingering dangers posed by unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs) scattered across parts of the North-East.
According to the Borno State Police Command, the explosion was triggered by an IED the boys had picked up two days earlier on the outskirts of Banki, mistaking it for scrap metal. The victims—identified as 15-year-old Awana Mustapha, 14-year-old Malum Modu, and two 12-year-olds, Lawan Ibrahim and Modu Abacha—were all killed instantly when the device detonated inside a small room where they had gathered.
A fifth boy, 12-year-old Mustapha Tijja, miraculously survived the blast but sustained severe injuries from metal fragments. He was immediately transported to the FHI 360 NGO Clinic in Banki for emergency treatment and is, according to police, responding to medical care.
In a statement confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, described the circumstances as heartbreaking and avoidable. “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,” Daso said.
Local sources disclosed to journalists that the boys were believed to be scavengers who often searched through abandoned sites for items they could sell as scrap. Two days before the explosion, they found the metallic object near the outskirts of Banki town and brought it home, unaware that it contained explosives.
A security operative familiar with the investigation revealed that the parents of the boys had actually warned them to return the object, but the children stubbornly refused, fascinated by its appearance and potential monetary value.
“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, mistaking it as scrap metal,” the source said. “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 source added that the force of the explosion completely destroyed the room, burning down clothing, food supplies, and other belongings belonging to the displaced families who had been living there.
Tragically, all four boys came from families already displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. Two of the victims were siblings, another was their cousin, while the fourth boy was the child of a neighbour. Their families, like thousands of others in Bama and surrounding towns, were living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in an abandoned church building that had been converted into temporary shelter.
Residents in Banki say the incident has thrown the entire community into mourning, as the victims were well-known and their families had endured years of hardship due to violent extremism in the region.
“We have suffered too much already,” one resident lamented. “These children survived Boko Haram attacks, only to die because of leftover explosives they mistook for scrap. It is painful.”
Borno State, the epicentre of Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), is littered with explosive remnants of war—landmines, IEDs, and abandoned ordnance. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that unexploded devices remain a daily threat to farmers, herders, travellers, and especially children, who sometimes mistake strange objects for toys or valuable scrap.
Banki, located near the Cameroon border, has been a hotspot of insurgent activity and military operations for years. As displaced families gradually return or settle in semi-permanent shelters, the risk of encountering explosive materials has increased, particularly in rural outskirts where battles once occurred.
Human rights groups say Friday’s incident underscores the urgent need for intensified demining activities and public awareness campaigns in conflict-affected communities.
Following the tragic explosion, the Commissioner of Police extended condolences to the bereaved families and urged residents to be more cautious in handling unfamiliar items found in their environment.
In the formal advisory issued by the police command, residents were strongly warned not to pick up, tamper with, or store strange objects—metallic or otherwise—no matter how harmless they may appear.
He also called for greater cooperation between residents and law enforcement authorities. He urged the public “to promptly report any suspected items sighted at the nearest police station.”
As news of the deaths spread across Banki, hundreds of residents gathered around the charred remains of the boys’ dwelling, struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. For many, the deaths are a painful reminder of the long-term consequences of a conflict that has persisted for over a decade.
Local elders say the incident has renewed calls for international organizations and government agencies to launch more robust sensitization programs targeting children—especially scavengers—who face heightened risk due to poverty and lack of formal education.
Meanwhile, humanitarian workers in Banki say they are monitoring the condition of the lone survivor, Mustapha Tijja, and providing psychological support to the grieving families.
As the community buries its young victims, the tragedy adds yet another chapter to the unending toll of the insurgency, reminding all that long after the gunfire stops, the remnants of war continue to claim innocent lives.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, has slammed Afrobeat musician Wizkid for disrespecting music legend Fela Kuti
In a viral video released on Thursday, VDM stated that Nigeria is the only county that do not recognize music legends, stating that while other countries honors great artists, Nigerians disregard theirs as “past glory”.
He further went ahead to say that some Nigerian music pioneers and veterans who voice out their concerns on national and industry issues are either insulted or ignored.
His comments came amid the ongoing clash between Seun Kuti and Wizkid.
Calling names like Eldee the Don, African China, Plantation Boiz, Psquare, Remedies, Tony Tetuila, Jazzman Olofin, 9ice, Vector, Sasha P, Asa, Weird MC, 2Face Idibia and Blackface, he said, “People you are supposed to idolise and respect are called ‘past glory’ in this country.”
The social media influencer and activist further criticized Wizkid’s comments, saying they caused his fabs to insult Fela.
He claimed that although disagreements are normal, Wizkid should have handled the situation better.
He address the ongoing comparisons between Wizkid and Fela Kuti, especially arguments centred on the Grammy Award.
He dismissed claims that Wizkid’s Grammy win places him above the late Afrobeat icon.
VeryDarkMan argued that the award was largely influenced by Beyoncé, not Wizkid’s solo artistry.
Wizkid had won a Grammy in 2021 for Best Music Video as a featured artiste on Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl, alongside Blue Ivy.
VDM pointed out that international music superstar, Beyoncé, has repeatedly celebrated the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, recalling how she once performed Zombie as a tribute and praised Fela in several interviews.
According to him, Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025, while Fela Kuti is also expected to receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.
In contrast, VeryDarkMan singled out Burna Boy and Tems as Nigerian artistes whose Grammy wins were based purely on individual musical contributions.
He referenced Burna Boy’s Best Global Music Album win for Twice As Tall, as well as Tems’ multiple Grammy awards, arguing that their recognitions were a direct reflection of artistic merit.
The activist also came to Fela Kuti’s defence over criticisms of his personal life, particularly his multiple marriages.
He questioned why historical figures such as King Solomon are widely revered despite similar controversies, while Fela continues to face harsh judgment.
VeryDarkMan insisted that Wizkid, musically and artistically, has not surpassed Fela Kuti or other members of the Kuti dynasty, including Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti and Made Kuti.
According to him, the Kuti family’s enduring influence on African music and global cultural discourse remains unmatched by many contemporary stars.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A faith‐based civil society organisation, CSO, Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has written a letter to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, raising concerns over delays in refunding excess Hajj fare funds amounting to N437,000 per pilgrim who participated in the 2025 holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
In the letter dated January 19, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the organisation said its independent monitoring revealed a significant financial surplus arising from exchange rate differentials during last year’s Hajj operations.
IHR noted that while pilgrims were charged at an exchange rate of N1,600 to the dollar, payments for services in Saudi Arabia were reportedly made at rates between N1,507 and N1,520.
According to the organisation, the exchange rate variation translates to an unutilised balance estimated at between N80,000 and N93,000 per dollar per pilgrim, with about N437,000 allegedly due for refund to each pilgrim who completed full payment by the February 10, 2025 deadline.
It stated that NAHCON had earlier assured pilgrims and stakeholders that refunds would be made after the completion of post-Hajj financial reconciliation, which it said had already been concluded.
The group, therefore, called for immediate action, including public disclosure of the total refund amount within seven working days and prompt disbursement to eligible pilgrims through the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards within 14 working days.
It urged NAHCON to act in the interest of transparency and accountability, stressing that timely refunds would help ease the economic burden on pilgrims and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Department of State Services (DSS), in a joint operation with Forest Guards, has successfully rescued seven individuals abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants during a fierce gun battle inside a forest enclave in Borno State.
Security sources revealed that the victims were kidnapped on January 19 while collecting firewood near Ajiri Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Two of the abductees managed to escape and alert the community, while the terrorists later released another on a bicycle to demand a ransom of N20 million.
Acting on intelligence, DSS personnel and Forest Guards quickly mobilized to the area. To avoid detection, the operatives dismounted their motorcycles and trekked for nearly an hour before confronting the ISWAP elements, leading to a fierce gunfight.
The terrorists eventually fled, abandoning all seven victims, who were rescued unharmed and are now receiving support and undergoing profiling.
Mr. Hassan Modu, Commander of the Forest Guards, attributed the success to timely
intelligence and smooth collaboration with the DSS. “We moved quietly on foot and engaged them.
The terrorists fled once they realized we had closed in on their enclave,” Modu said. He also urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help combat criminal activities.
The Forest Guards, a community-based auxiliary security unit, are trained, equipped, and supervised by the DSS, receiving instruction in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Regular drills and guidance from the DSS ensure professionalism, discipline, and effective coordination in joint operations against terrorists and criminal elements.
If you want, I can also craft a shorter, punchy version suitable for social media captions while keeping the story accurate. Do you want me to do that?
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