A tragic incident has rocked the peaceful town of Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
On Thursday afternoon, August 7, 2025, three young girls lost their lives after a grenade, believed to have been left behind by insurgents, exploded while they were playing.
The children, identified as Fati Dahiru, Aisha Ibrahim, and Fati Yakubu, had reportedly been playing in an open area around 2:20 p.m. when the device went off.
According to local sources, the grenade was suspected to be an abandoned explosive from the Boko Haram insurgency, which has left behind dangerous remnants across several communities in Borno.
Residents were left devastated by the loss. Community member and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) personnel, Buba Yaga, confirmed the heartbreaking details.
“The children were playing with a grenade suspected to have been abandoned by Boko Haram insurgents when it exploded around 2:20 p.m. on Thursday,” he said.
Soon after the explosion, a combined team of Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN), troops of Operation Hadin Kai, CJTF operatives, and local hunters were deployed to the scene.
The area was quickly secured and thoroughly searched.
However, no additional explosives were found during the sweep, and the zone was declared safe.
Meanwhile, the injured children were rushed to the General Hospital in Gwoza. Sadly, upon arrival, doctors confirmed them dead.
In line with Islamic traditions, their bodies have since been released to their grieving families for burial.
The entire community remains in mourning, grappling with the loss of these young, innocent lives.
In response to the incident, security forces are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects.
This plea is critical, particularly in areas previously occupied or frequented by insurgents.
“Authorities have urged residents to immediately report suspicious objects to security agencies to prevent similar tragedies,” the report added.
