— Hobnob News
Several soldiers are reportedly abandoning their posts and fleeing to their hometowns after Boko Haram insurgents launched a brutal assault on a forward operating military base in Marte, Borno State on Monday, leading to the deaths of five personnel.
According to multiple military insiders who spoke to Hobnob News under anonymity, the attackers stormed the base in the early hours, overwhelming the stationed troops, looting weapons, and escaping with military vehicles, including that of the Commanding Officer.
“They destroyed everything, including new motorbikes issued to us. Some soldiers have decided to abandon their arms and leave. One of them, Dangwari, has already returned to his village,” a military source revealed.
The chaos, according to another insider, was made possible by an alleged betrayal from a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force. “A CJTF member named Sharu, who was close to our adjutant, led the terrorists to our location,” he alleged.
In the aftermath, residents of nearby communities have reportedly fled to safer areas such as Dikwa, Lukumani, and Mafa, amid fears of renewed attacks due to a weakened military presence.
Reacting to the incident, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, attributed the rising insurgent activity to regional instability in the Sahel. Speaking during a media briefing in Maiduguri, Abubakar noted that arms are increasingly flowing into Nigeria due to porous borders and collapsed security systems in neighboring countries.
“The escalation in attacks stems from instability in the wider Sahel where barracks have been ransacked, and weapons are finding their way into Nigeria,” he stated.
He also revealed that terrorists have begun deploying weaponised drones since late 2024, complicating counter-insurgency efforts. “These drones, like those used in Israel and Ukraine, are not easily detectable by standard radar,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, the commander affirmed that the military had made significant strides, with over 20 terrorists neutralized and various arms recovered in the past week. In places like Mallam Fatori and Kukawa, nearly 20,000 displaced persons have returned to their homes, he said.
Still, Abubakar acknowledged that terrorists are adapting, launching coordinated attacks across multiple locations such as Rann, Dikwa, and Gajiram—three of which were repelled, while Rann saw the loss of four troops.
“We are actively reorganizing our operations. The Chief of Army Staff has visited, and I assumed command just two weeks ago as part of this strategic overhaul,” he added.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has condemned the resurgence of attacks and urged residents to remain resilient and prayerful.
“These cowardly acts of terror are deeply condemnable. We will not be deterred. This is a partial eclipse—we shall overcome it, Insha Allah,” Zulum said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Dauda Illiya.
He extended condolences to families of fallen heroes and civilians, while reaffirming the state’s commitment to working with federal authorities and the military to tackle the 16-year-old insurgency.
Governor Zulum also referenced his recent visit to Gwoza, where he met with security forces and residents of Izge community to boost morale and strengthen community defense.
Hobnob News has previously reported on a wave of attacks across Marte, Gwoza, Chibok, Kala Balge, and other parts of Borno State.
