posted 13th May 2025
Boko Haram Attacks Army Base in Marte, Seizes Weapons
Marte, Borno State, Nigeria – May 13, 2025
Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists launched a deadly assault on the Forward Operation Base of the 153 Task Force Battalion in Marte Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, Nigeria, in the early hours of Monday, May 12, 2025. The attack, which occurred around 3:00 AM, resulted in the deaths of an unspecified number of Nigerian soldiers, the capture of others, and significant losses of military equipment, including weapons and armoured tanks.
According to local and security sources, the insurgents overwhelmed the military base, dislodging troops and forcing many to flee toward Dikwa, approximately 38 kilometres away, where they sought refuge with the 24 Task Force Brigade. A Nigerian soldier, speaking anonymously, lamented the loss of equipment, stating, “Boko Haram has taken all our weapons during the attack on Marte LGA of Borno yesterday,” highlighting the severity of the raid. The attackers reportedly burnt armored tanks and carted away arms and ammunition, further weakening the military’s position in the region.
The assault is part of a recent surge in jihadist activities in Nigeria’s northeast, particularly in Borno State, which has been the epicentre of a 15-year insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP. Security sources reported that the Nigerian Air Force deployed fighter jets to the area, with gunfire heard in nearby Dikwa as efforts were underway to assess the damage and regain control of Marte. However, confirmed reports indicate that ISWAP has taken over the Marte Council Area, marking a significant setback for the Nigerian military.
A Major in the Nigerian Army, speaking to SaharaReporters, expressed concern over the loss of communication with the base since the attack, stating, “So many of our men are feared dead.” The fall of Marte, a strategically important location in the Lake Chad axis, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian forces in containing the insurgency. The town has changed hands multiple times in recent years, serving as a symbolic and tactical prize for both the insurgents and government forces.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has repeatedly warned of a potential jihadist comeback, noting in April 2025 that insurgents were regrouping in the Lake Chad area and Sambisa hills. He called for increased military support, stating, “Borno State is losing ground,” as attacks on communities have become near-daily occurrences. Security analysts attribute the resurgence to reduced troop presence in the northeast, with many soldiers redeployed to address banditry and kidnappings in northwestern Nigeria. The withdrawal of Niger’s troops from a regional counterterrorism force has further complicated efforts to combat the militants.
The attack follows a pattern of escalating violence in Borno. In January 2025, ISWAP killed at least 20 soldiers in Malam-Fatori, while another attack claimed 40 civilian lives in the Dumba region. Earlier this month, on May 8, Boko Haram killed a Nigerian Army captain and a private soldier in a raid on Izge community in Gwoza LGA. The insurgency, which began in 2009, has killed nearly 40,000 people and displaced over two million in Nigeria’s northeast, according to the United Nations.
Amnesty International condemned recent Boko Haram attacks, with Nigeria Director Isa Sanusi stating, “Boko Haram must be held to account for its years of atrocities, including war crimes.” The organization has documented the group’s disregard for international humanitarian law, particularly in targeting civilians such as farmers and fishermen.
The Nigerian military has yet to release an official statement on the Marte attack, and efforts to contact Major-General Edward Buba, the army spokesperson, were unsuccessful. However, the incident has sparked outrage and concern on social media platforms like X, where users expressed grief over the loss of soldiers and frustration with the ongoing security crisis. One post read, “Nigerian soldiers cried out as Boko Haram attacked their base in Marte LGA of Borno State earlier this morning. Many soldiers were killed, while several others were captured and injured.”
As the Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to address the insurgency, calls for advanced technological warfare and increased international support have intensified. The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, who lost his father to Boko Haram in 2014, reiterated the need for better-equipped security forces, stating, “The federal government must equip our security forces with technological warfare/weapons to defeat the remnants of Boko Haram members terrorizing our communities.”
The attack on Marte underscores the resilience and adaptability of Boko Haram and ISWAP, who have increasingly employed sophisticated tactics, including armed drones and explosive devices. Security experts warn that without a robust and coordinated response, the jihadist groups may continue to exploit vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s security apparatus, further destabilizing the region.
