Tears as suspected Boko Haram fighters overrun Army Base in Borno

Tragedy struck on Monday night in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State as suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched a deadly assault on the base of the 153 Task Force Battalion, killing an unconfirmed number of soldiers and capturing others in what military insiders have described as a devastating ambush.

The brazen attack occurred under the cover of darkness, and according to multiple security sources, the insurgents overpowered troops, burnt armoured vehicles, and looted military ammunition, leaving behind a trail of destruction and sorrow.

“The terrorists stormed the base, dislodged our men, and carted away weapons. Some of our soldiers were killed, while others were captured,” a military source told reporters under the condition of anonymity.

In the wake of the attack, communication with the battalion was completely lost, raising fears about the scale of casualties.

“Gunshots were heard, and a fighter jet from the Nigerian Air Force was later seen hovering in the area. But by then, the damage was already done,” another military source disclosed.

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The terrorists, believed to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)—a faction of Boko Haram—are now reported to have seized control of Marte, one of the insurgency-hit regions near Lake Chad. It was also reported that surviving troops fled toward Dikwa, where they regrouped at the 24 Task Force Brigade base.

This latest assault comes just weeks after a similar attack in Malam-Fatori, Abadam LGA of Borno, where 22 soldiers and a commanding officer lost their lives in another coordinated ambush.

The resurgence of violence is raising fresh concerns about the security architecture in the Northeast and the resilience of insurgent groups, particularly around the Lake Chad region.

“ISWAP is becoming more daring. They’ve successfully captured Marte again. The base is no longer under the military’s control,” a local security operative confirmed.

As of press time, the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters have yet to release an official statement regarding the Marte attack.

However, sources within the military say efforts are underway to deploy reinforcements, recover the base, and rescue missing soldiers.

Eyewitness reports also suggest civilian displacement may have begun in surrounding villages, as residents flee to safer locations amid fears of further insurgent attacks.

The incident has once again thrown the spotlight on Nigeria’s protracted battle against Boko Haram and its splinter groups, who despite a decade-long military campaign, continue to carry out coordinated attacks on security formations and civilian populations in the Northeast.

Security analysts are now calling for an urgent reassessment of troop deployment, intelligence gathering, and military logistics to prevent further loss of life and territorial control to insurgent elements.

As families of the affected soldiers await official confirmation, grief, uncertainty, and anger hang heavy over yet another black chapter in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.