Suspected ISWAP Attack Leaves Nigerian Soldiers Missing In Borno State.
A devastating pre-dawn assault by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a Nigerian military base in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State has left at least 20 soldiers unaccounted for, security sources have confirmed. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 12 May 2025, saw insurgents overrun the Forward Operating Base of the 153 Task Force Battalion, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
According to local and security sources, the assault began around 3:00 a.m., with ISWAP militants launching a coordinated attack that overwhelmed the stationed troops. The insurgents, reportedly armed with heavy weaponry and arriving in gun trucks, killed an unspecified number of soldiers, looted the base’s armoury, and forced surviving troops to retreat towards Dikwa, approximately 12 kilometres away. A military insider, speaking anonymously to SaharaReporters, revealed that “many soldiers were captured, and many have deserted,” with some fleeing towards the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa. The source added that Nigerian Air Force jets were observed hovering over the area, though casualty figures remain unconfirmed.
The attack has displaced thousands of villagers from Marte and surrounding communities, with many seeking refuge in Dikwa. A security source familiar with the incident told BusinessDay that “about 20 soldiers are still missing,” expressing hope that they remain alive. Another source urged the Nigerian military to mobilise additional resources to counter the growing threat posed by ISWAP and Boko Haram in the region.
Marte, located in the Lake Chad region, has long been a strategic target for insurgents due to its proximity to the borders of Chad and Cameroon. The town has changed hands multiple times in recent years, with ISWAP and Boko Haram vying for control. In March 2021, 101 Nigerian soldiers were reported missing or declared deserters following coordinated attacks on Marte and Dikwa, underscoring the area’s vulnerability.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has repeatedly warned of a resurgence of jihadist activity in the region. In April 2025, he cautioned that Boko Haram and ISWAP were regrouping in the Lake Chad area and Sambisa Forest, urging the federal government to deploy advanced technology, including drones, to combat the insurgents. The Nigerian military, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, repelled a subsequent attack on a base in Dikwa on Tuesday, 13 May, with support from the Nigerian Air Force. A CJTF member noted that the insurgents had used drones for surveillance prior to the assault but were met with “heavy resistance”.
The Nigerian government has faced mounting criticism for its handling of the 15-year insurgency, which has killed nearly 40,000 people and displaced over two million in the northeast. Recent attacks, including the January 2025 killing of 20 soldiers in Malam-Fatori and 40 farmers in Dumba, highlight the persistent threat posed by ISWAP and Boko Haram, despite claims of improved security. Security experts attribute the insurgents’ resurgence to reduced infighting between Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as their adoption of sophisticated tactics, such as armed drones and improvised explosive devices.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, expressed shock at the rising terrorist activities and called for decisive action from the federal government. “The efforts of the military and security agencies are acknowledged, but we need advanced technology to turn the tide,” he said.
As the search for the missing soldiers continues, Governor Zulum has extended condolences to the families of fallen soldiers and civilians, vowing to support counterinsurgency efforts. “This is a partial eclipse, and we shall overcome it, Insha Allah,” he said, urging resilience among Borno residents.
The Nigerian military has yet to release an official statement on the Marte attack, and the full extent of the casualties remains unclear. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in securing Borno State and the urgent need for a robust response to curb the jihadist threat.