A suicide bomber has reportedly killed five soldiers in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, according to local media reports.
The incident occurred on Sunday and is believed to have been carried out by a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
The attacker, thought to have come from a hideout in the Mandara Mountains, reportedly pretended to be a passerby before detonating an explosive near soldiers stationed at a checkpoint, killing five on the spot. At the time of reporting, the military had not released an official statement regarding the attack.
Christopher Musa, the Minister of Defence, had previously directed the redeployment of soldiers from road checkpoints to bush operations to directly confront insurgents, leaving the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) responsible for checkpoint duties. He described the strategy as central to counter-insurgency efforts nationwide.
Sunday’s attack came hours after PREMIUM TIMES reported the killing of several civilians, including fish transporters, in Daban Masara, Kukawa Local Government Area, allegedly by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes. Local reports indicated that five drivers were killed and their vehicles destroyed, along with the destruction of three insurgent gun trucks.
The NAF told journalists that the strike targeted locations and vehicles associated with terrorists, resulting in the deaths of some insurgents. The air operation, conducted as part of Operation Hadin Kai, followed intelligence reports on a terrorist workshop and armed movements in the area.
Earlier, the Air Force posted a statement on Facebook reaffirming its commitment to civilian safety, highlighting collaboration with a US delegation on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) to enhance operational ethics and professionalism. The Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, emphasized that CHMR support is a critical component of the NAF’s operational evolution.
Since the security restructuring under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which brought Mr. Musa into office, attacks on insurgent hideouts have intensified. Military operations nationwide have reclaimed over 14 territories and intercepted N9 million in ransom within the last 48 hours.
In the North-east, troops under Operation Hadin Kai have continued offensive operations in Borno and Yobe states, killing 11 ISWAP/JAS terrorists in ambushes and patrols across Bama, Konduga, and Guzamala LGAs. Weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, bicycles, and logistics supplies, including energy drinks and food, were recovered. Three suspected ISWAP/JAS collaborators, including logistics suppliers, were arrested along the Konduga–Bama road, with 700 packs of energy drinks, mobile phones, and cash recovered.
In the North-west, Operation FANSAN YAMMA forces engaged terrorists in Zurmi and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara, forcing them to retreat into surrounding bushes. In the South-south, troops conducting anti-illegal bunkering operations in Akwa Ibom seized about 600 litres of illegally refined AGO, handled according to operational directives.
Military forces also repelled an attack on Mairari Military Base in Borno, killing several terrorists.
Speaking on Monday at the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference 2025 held at Nebo Hall, Abalti Barracks, Lagos State, Minister Musa stated that the operational capabilities of terrorist groups, bandits, and other criminal elements had been significantly degraded across multiple regions. He credited these gains to the courage of troops, improved planning, and the growing impact of coordinated joint and multi-agency operations.
