A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device on Sunday morning at a military checkpoint in Pulka town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing five soldiers and residents.
The explosion, which occurred as troops were manning the checkpoint, has stirred fresh concerns about the lingering threat posed by extremist groups in the region.
According to a security source who spoke with Daily Trust, the attacker was a suspected member of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) who had been hiding in the Mandara Mountains.
The source said, “Some people revealed that he passed the night close to the military checkpoint, planning the heinous act.
“In the morning, when the road was opened for passersby, he pretended to be one of them and detonated the bomb in their midst. Five soldiers lost their lives instantly.”
Another resident said Sunday’s blast was the first suicide attack recorded in the area in over a year, adding that the incident underscored the need for a fresh security approach.
“For over a year now, this is the only suicide attack that has been recorded here, and it calls for a new approach by security operatives to avert a recurrence,” he said.
The latest incident has revived painful memories of previous suicide bombings in Gwoza and other parts of Borno State.
On June 30, 2024, two female suicide bombers detonated explosives during a wedding ceremony in Gwoza town, killing 18 celebrants, including children and a pregnant woman.
Similarly, on June 21, 2025, at least 11 civilians were killed and several others injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at a viewing centre in Konduga Local Government Area.
