Soldier, 2 children hurt as grenade explodes in Nasarawa

A routine cleaning exercise turned tragic on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, when a hand grenade detonated inside a residential compound along Abacha Road in Maraba, Nasarawa State, leaving a female soldier and two children injured.

The incident occurred at about 11:46 a.m. after a woman reportedly brought out an explosive device from her apartment and asked the soldier, identified as Mohammed, to help identify it.

Preliminary findings indicated that the grenade had been left in the apartment roughly three years ago by a yet-to-be-identified soldier who had previously served in the North-East, according to an incident report cited by The PUNCH.

The report explained that Mohammed’s sister, who resides in the same compound, discovered the grenade while cleaning her room. Unaware of its danger, she reportedly took it outside and asked Mohammed whether it was useful or should be thrown away.

“Upon receipt of confirmation, the grenade exploded immediately, causing severe injury to Mohammed’s left wrist and other parts of her body,” the report said.

“Also, two children of the woman who brought out the grenade were severely injured.”

Following the blast, Mohammed was taken to Nagari Allah Private Hospital in Keffi by her sister and other residents. She was later transferred to the Defence Headquarters Medical Centre at Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja before being referred to Cedarcrest Hospital, Apo, where she is currently receiving treatment.

According to the report, the injured soldier’s condition has improved and she is responding to medical care.

“Importantly, her condition has stabilised as she is responding to treatment. Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident,” the report added.

When contacted for comments, the Director of Defence Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said he had not yet been briefed on the incident.