A tragic explosion involving an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), mistaken for scrap metal, occurred in Konduga, Borno State, resulting in the death of two children and injuries to four others.
Konduga, situated approximately 40 kilometers from Maiduguri, serves as the administrative center for the Konduga Local Government Area.
According to reports from Vanguard, the incident took place on Sunday when the victims discovered the object at a construction site associated with a Borno State Government project.
However, a military official, who verified the occurrence, contested the reports of fatalities, asserting that while four children were indeed injured, no lives were lost in the explosion.
Elanzanews reported that the explosive device was an old IED that had been unearthed by excavation equipment at the site. Unaware of the threat it posed, the children reportedly transported the device and struck it against a paved road near the Ajari community in Konduga, which led to the detonation and serious injuries.
Unverified reports emerged on Monday indicating that two of the injured children succumbed to their wounds, while four others are currently receiving medical care at a hospital in Maiduguri.
Residents, who requested anonymity, corroborated the details of the incident:
“The explosives were brought into the area by six boys who believed they were merely scrap metal, likely unaware of their dangerous nature. Tragically, two of them later died from their injuries,” a local resident stated.
In contrast, the military source maintained, “What the children found was a small hand grenade, likely discarded by terrorists. They carried it to the road, where it exploded upon impact. Four children were injured and are currently being treated in Maiduguri. No fatalities have been confirmed.”
