Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly launched an attack on a Nigerian Army base in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack is said to have resulted in the deaths of an unspecified number of soldiers.
According to a report by Channels TV, local and security sources said that the attack occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Monday at the Forward Operating Base of the 153 Task Force Battalion.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the troops were overwhelmed, with several soldiers either killed or captured during the assault.
“ISWAP has taken over Marte, an unspecified number of soldiers were killed, some captured and many have deserted. They ran towards Dikwa, and are currently at the 24 Task force Brigade, Dikwa,” the media organisation reported.
He added that “the terrorists also burnt down armoured tanks and made away with arms and ammunition from the base.”
Marte is located approximately 38 kilometers from Dikwa, which serves as the headquarters of Dikwa Local Government Area in Borno State.
A resident in Dikwa said that gunfire was heard in the area, and a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet was spotted hovering overhead.
Similarly, two staff members of the local government education authority have been killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday along the volatile Maiduguri–Damboa–Biu 185km highway, just hours after the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 15, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, held an emergency security stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri.
The meeting was convened to address the escalating security threats in the state, including isolated attacks, banditry, kidnappings, and unregulated movement of people and goods.
The victims were reportedly en route to Maiduguri to sit for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) examination scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025.
The two victims were identified as classroom teachers: Blessing Luka, who taught at Junior Day New School in Damboa, and Bitaleaf Gedion, who served at Junior Day Secondary School (UBE) Islamiya, also in Damboa.
Confirming the incident, the District Head of Damboa, Alhaji Zanna Lawan Maina, urged citizens to continue praying for peace in Borno State and the country at large.
Reacting to the development, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents the district, expressed deep concern over the resurgence of terrorist activities.
“Let me reiterate that the military must be trained, equipped, armed, and motivated to enable them to defeat the renewed attacks,” he said, describing the recent incidents as shocking and calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to rise to the challenge.