The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a major attack on a Nigerian Army base in Marte, Borno State, asserting they killed numerous soldiers and forced others to retreat.
According to a statement posted on the terrorist group's Telegram channel, ISWAP fighters stormed the military installation in the early hours of Monday, engaging Nigerian troops in what they described as a fierce gun battle lasting approximately one hour.
The insurgents claim to have successfully overrun the base during the assault, though Nigerian military authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or confirm casualty figures.
This attack represents the latest in a series of assaults by the terrorist group targeting towns in Borno State, including Dikwa, Rann, and Gajiram. These attacks have reportedly resulted in significant loss of life, destruction of property, and the looting of weapons.
The Marte attack comes amid growing concerns about the resurgence of terrorist activities in Nigeria's northeastern region, where both ISWAP and Boko Haram have maintained a presence despite military efforts to eliminate the threat.
In recent months, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has repeatedly lamented the killing of soldiers and civilians in terrorist strikes, calling for enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable communities in the region.
The Nigerian military has been conducting operations against terrorist strongholds, with the Nigerian Air Force recently reporting successful strikes against ISWAP positions in Borno State.
Security experts have emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to counter the terrorist threat, including improved intelligence gathering, community engagement, and regional cooperation among countries affected by the Lake Chad Basin insurgency.
BenriNews will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from official sources.