A recent attack on a Nigerian military base in Marte, Borno State, by suspected Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters has left at least 20 soldiers unaccounted for. The pre-dawn assault on Monday saw the insurgents overrun the base, looting the armoury and forcing thousands of residents to flee.
*Details of the Attack*
- The attack occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Monday at the Forward Operating Base of the 153 Task Force Battalion.
- Four soldiers were confirmed killed, and many others were either abducted or wounded during the raid.
- The insurgents made off with military vehicles and motorcycles, sparking concerns about their potential use for future attacks ¹ ².
*Military Response*
- Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, repelled a separate ISWAP attack on Dikwa on Tuesday.
- The military responded decisively, defending their territory and chasing the terrorists away with support from the Nigerian Air Force.
*Reactions*
- Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State condemned the recent attacks, sympathizing with the victims and reaffirming the state's commitment to working with the military to contain the security challenges.
- The governor urged citizens to remain resilient and prayerful, assuring them that the recent surge in attacks would not deter their resolve to tackle the insurgency ³.
