At least five soldiers were killed on Sunday morning after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at a military checkpoint in Pulka town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Residents and security sources confirmed that the blast occurred shortly after the road was opened to civilians, triggering panic in the area and an immediate security lockdown.

According to a security source, 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 the bomber allegedly spent the night near the checkpoint, carefully planning the attack before disguising himself as a civilian passerby. “When the road was opened in the morning, he pretended to be one of them and detonated the bomb in their midst. Five soldiers lost their lives instantly,” the source said.

The attack underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in northeastern Nigeria, despite ongoing military operations in the region. Authorities are expected to intensify security measures around strategic locations as investigations into the incident continue. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news details and follow us on all our social media platforms.