The explosion, which occurred at about 11:46 a.m., was triggered after a woman reportedly brought out the explosive device from her apartment and asked the soldier to help identify it.
A routine cleaning exercise turned tragic on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, when a hand grenade exploded in a residential compound along Abacha Road, Maraba, Nasarawa State, injuring a female soldier identified as Mohammed and two children.
The explosion, which occurred at about 11:46 a.m., was triggered after a woman reportedly brought out the explosive device from her apartment and asked the soldier to help identify it.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the grenade had been left in the apartment about three years ago by a yet-to-be-identified soldier who had served in the North-East, according to The PUNCH, citing an incident report obtained.
The report stated that the soldier’s sister, who lives in the same compound as Mohammed, discovered the grenade while cleaning her room. Unaware of its danger, she brought it outside and asked Mohammed whether it was useful or should be discarded.
“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 explosion, the injured soldier was rushed 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, Abuja, before being referred to Cedarcrest Hospital, Apo, where she is currently receiving treatment.
The report noted that Mohammed’s condition has stabilised and that she is responding to treatment.
“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.
The Director of Defence Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said he had not yet been briefed on the incident, when contacted for comments.