A suicide bomber has killed five soldiers following an explosion at a military checkpoint in Pulka town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning while troops were on duty at the checkpoint, heightening concerns over renewed insecurity and the activities of extremist groups in the North-East.

A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attacker was suspected to be a member of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) and had been hiding within the Mandara Mountains axis.

According to the source, the suspect reportedly spent the night close to the checkpoint, observing troop movements and planning the attack.

“He passed the night around the military post. In the morning, when the road was opened to commuters, he disguised himself as a passerby and detonated the explosive in their midst,” the source said.

The source added that the explosion killed five soldiers instantly, while residents in the vicinity also sustained injuries of varying degrees.

Another resident of Pulka told our Source that the attack was the first suicide bombing recorded in the area in more than one year, stressing the need for a renewed and proactive security strategy.

“For over a year now, this is the only suicide attack recorded here. It shows that security agencies need to adopt new measures to prevent a recurrence,” the resident said.

The latest incident has revived memories of previous suicide attacks in Gwoza and other parts of Borno State, which had caused significant loss of lives and displacement of residents.

We recalls that on June 30, 2024, two female suicide bombers detonated improvised explosive devices at a wedding ceremony in Gwoza town, killing 18 persons, including children and a pregnant woman.

Similarly, on June 21, 2025, no fewer than 11 civilians were killed, while several others were injured, when a suicide bomber attacked a viewing centre in Konduga Local Government Area of the state.

Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the Pulka attack as of the time of filing this report, while efforts to strengthen security across vulnerable communities in the state are ongoing.