Militants from ISWAP have reportedly taken over Marte, a key local government area in Borno State, after pushing back Nigerian troops in a weekend assault.
According to Sahara Reporters, Military sources who spoke under condition of anonymity said the attackers launched several coordinated strikes, eventually forcing the army to retreat from their position by 3am on Sunday, May 12, 2025.
“Marte has been lost. Troops were overwhelmed and had to pull back. Some soldiers are missing, others fled toward Dikwa and are now regrouping at the 24 Task Force Brigade,” the source explained.
“Gunshots were heard in neighbouring towns, and Air Force jets were sighted hovering over the region. Official casualty figures have yet to be confirmed.
Marte, situated in the Lake Chad axis, is considered a strategic military and symbolic stronghold.
It has frequently been contested between Nigerian forces and insurgents, changing control numerous times.
Sources also revealed that during Saturday night’s siege, ISWAP fighters stormed the base of the 153 Task Force Battalion, destroyed military hardware, and looted ammunition.
This assault comes weeks after another deadly attack in Malam-Fatori, where 22 personnel were killed.
Nigeria’s North-East has been a hotspot of insurgent activity for more than a decade, with groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP staging repeated attacks on both military and civilian targets.
Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, a call was put through to the Borno state police spokesperson, Nahum Kenneth Daso to confirm the latest attack but the call was not answered.