Tragedy struck in Pulka town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on Thursday afternoon when a grenade explosion claimed the lives of three children.
According to Zagazola Makama, the victims as Fati Dahiru, Aisha Ibrahim, and Fati Yakubu.
A Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) member, Buba Yaga, stated that the children were playing with a grenade suspected to have been abandoned by Boko Haram insurgents when it exploded around 2:20 p.m.
A combined team of Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN), troops of Operation Hadin Kai, CJTF, and local hunters visited the scene, cordoned off the area, and conducted a sweep for other devices. None were found, and the area was declared safe.
The injured children were rushed to the General Hospital, Gwoza, where doctors confirmed them dead.
The bodies of the children have been released to their families for burial in line with Islamic rites.
Authorities urged residents to immediately report suspicious objects to security agencies to prevent similar tragedies.
Meanwhile, in another decisive strike against insurgency in the Northeast, troops of the North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have killed 17 suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during clearance operations in Borno State.
Bellnews reports that the sustained military offensive has covered parts of Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Magumeri, and Biu Local Government Areas in Borno, extending to Michika in Adamawa State.
In a press statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, Captain Reuben Kovangiya on behalf of the Theatre Commander North East Joint Task Force OPHK, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar on Monday said, “In continued determination to deny Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists freedom to operate, the troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), bolstered by close air support from the Air Component OPHK and Civilian Joint Task Force, have sustained series of offensive operations across the North East theatre of Operations from 23 July – 2 August 2025.
“The operations, including fighting patrols, ambushes, clearance and logistics strangulation operations, stretched from Michika LGA in Adamawa State, Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Magumeri and Biu LGAs in Borno State.
“This led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, discovery and safe detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and seizure of large quantity of the terrorists’ logistics items.
“In the separate operations conducted around the general areas of Bula Daburu, Alau Dam, Bitta, Kawuri, Algambari, Ajiri and Bulabulin, amongst others, troops neutralised over 17 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, recovered several AK-47 rifles, PKT gun, several AK-47 rifle magazines and cache of 7.62mm ammunition. Other terrorists’ logistics items recovered include about 2,300 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO), over 1,000 litres of of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 2 Generators, a tricycle, bags of rice, solar panels and several motorcycles, among other sundry items.
“Significantly, the resilient troops during the operations discovered and safely detonated over 14 Improvised Explosive Devices, planted by the terrorists in various locations, meant to inflict casualties on innocent civilians and troops.”