A 15-year-old boy has reportedly been shot dead after police officers disrupted a Maulid gathering in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, following a complaint by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) about noise from the religious event.
Sahara Reporters reported on Sunday, October 25, 2026, that the incident occurred on October 18 during a Maulid celebration held in front of the organiser’s residence.
Community sources alleged that several people were injured during the incident, while sound equipment and other belongings were damaged.
According to one of the sources, the DPO had earlier visited the gathering with his driver and a police orderly identified as Abdullahi. He reportedly complained that the volume of the religious recitation was too high, saying he could hear it from his office at the police station.
The source said the event organiser and his brother, Malam Idris, received the DPO, who asked them to reduce the volume rather than stop the celebration.
In response, the organiser reportedly switched off and brought down two high-frequency speakers, leaving the remaining speakers playing at a lower volume.
The DPO allegedly stayed at the venue for between 40 and 50 minutes before leaving peacefully.
However, the source claimed that police officers later returned in two vehicles with their headlights switched off.
The officers allegedly cut off the electricity supply to the sound system, switched off the generator and began beating attendees with batons. They were also accused of firing tear gas and live ammunition, causing panic as people attempted to escape.
The source further alleged that a 15-year-old boy attending the gathering was shot in the neck and died at the scene. Several other people reportedly sustained injuries, including broken bones.
Community sources also accused the officers of taking mobile phones, speakers, sound equipment and other belongings during the operation.
One of the sources, who said he witnessed the incident, told Sahara Reporters that his account was based on what happened at the venue.
The sources called on the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Nazir Abdulmajid, to ensure a transparent investigation into the teenager’s death and the alleged conduct of the officers involved.
They also demanded disciplinary action against any officers found culpable and compensation for the deceased boy’s family.
Sahara Reporters said its efforts to obtain comments from the Borno State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Kenneth Daso, were unsuccessful. He reportedly did not answer calls or respond to a text message sent to him.
As of the publication of the report, the allegations had not been independently confirmed by the police in the report.
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