A grenade blast has claimed the lives of three children in Pulka, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. on Thursday when the victims, identified as Fati Dahiru, Aisha Ibrahim, and Fati Yakubu, were reportedly playing with the explosive device. The grenade is suspected to have been abandoned by Boko Haram insurgents who once operated in the area.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the tragedy in a post on X on Friday, said a joint security team swiftly moved to the scene. The team included personnel from the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN) unit, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters.
According to Makama, the area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched for additional dangerous devices, but none were found. Security operatives later declared the location safe.
The children were rushed to the General Hospital in Gwoza, where doctors confirmed them dead. Their bodies were subsequently released to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.