A devastating bomb blast has rocked the Kofa Biyu area of Konduga Local Government Area in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. The explosion, caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), occurred on Monday, August 18, 2025, around 5 pm, killing one person and injuring seven others.

Eyewitness Account

According to eyewitness, the victims, who were likely scavenging for scrap metal, stumbled upon the IED and brought it into town, unaware of its danger. The explosion occurred when they attempted to break it, resulting in the tragic loss of life and injuries.

“The explosion happened when the children, unaware of the danger, picked the object at a road construction site in the Ajari area. Unfortunately, after tampering with the device, one of them died instantly, while seven others were severely injured,” she said.

A local security operative told Ndarason that the explosion occurred near a military outpost while an excavator was sand filling the trenches. “In the process of sand-filling the trenches, the excavator operator found some devices and kept them aside before informing the military. The children beside the trenches saw the device, thinking it was valuable metal, and unfortunately, the device exploded by the roadside while the children attempted to break it,“ he said.

Inhabitants urged to be security vigilant 

The spokesman of the Borno State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nahum Kenneth Daso, who confirmed the death of one person, said the explosion occurred on Sunday around 5 pm at the Kofa Biyu area of Konduga Local Government Area of the state. He said the wounded ones are currently receiving a medical treatment in Maiduguri the state capital.

On Monday, August 18, the Borno State Police Command recovered an unexploded ordnance (UXO) from farmland in Dikwa Local Government Area. ASP Kenneth Daso further said the recovery was made after a farmer, reported a suspicious object on his land. He said the police have discovered another unexploded IED near internally displaced persons’ camp in Mallam Fatori on Tuesday, August 19. He however appealed to the people to be security vigilante and report and suspicious object to the security operatives.

The Growing Threat of IEDs in Borno

A community leader in Konduga said, “this incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, where IED attacks have become increasingly common. The use of IEDs has resulted in significant civilian casualties, highlighting the need for sustained security efforts and community awareness”.

The incident serves as a grim reminder of the persistent security challenges in Borno State and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between security agencies and local communities.