A suicide bomber on Sunday detonated an improvised explosive device at a Redeemed Christian Church of God, in Potiskum, Yobe State, killing five worshipers and himself, witnesses have said.

The bomber, a male, entered the church, located in an uncompleted building around 9:30 am and detonated the bomb strapped to his body, instantly killing four people, while the fifth died moments later. Among the dead were believed to be a woman and her two children and the church pastor.

The Yobe State Police public relations officer, Toyin Gbadegesin, confirmed the incident and told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that “a male suicide bomber detonated a bomb at Redeemed Church at Jigawa area of Potiskum, killing five on the spot. A female member of the church who sustained injuries also died while receiving treatment in the hospital.”

A witness, Garba Manu, who lives close by, said he saw when the bomber entered the church disguised as a worshiper.

“I saw when the bomber alighted from a motorised rickshaw and entered the church and as soon as he entered a loud explosion ripped through the church which is under construction,” Manu told AFP.

“I saw him walked into the church and he didn’t raise any suspicion. Five worshippers, including three females and two males were in the church when the bomber entered and they were all killed,” he added.

Despite a multinational operation launched against Boko Haram, the sect has proved in the past few weeks that it is not a spent force. Just few days ago, the insurgents carried out a series of attacks on villages in neighbouring Borno State, killing about 200 people.

The sect has recently relied heavily on suicide bombers, including females, who easily blend into society, to carry out their attacks, especially with government forces carrying out offensive campaigns to bring the six years insurgency to an end, something President Muhammadu Buhari has made a top priority.