Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has raised fresh concerns over the deteriorating security in Marte Local Government Area, warning that Boko Haram insurgents are dangerously close to seizing full control of the territory following a series of violent attacks.
Zulum, who visited Marte over the weekend, said the situation had become dire, with only one town still under government control out of over 300 communities that once made up the LGA. The visit followed a string of coordinated assaults by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on multiple villages, which left several people dead and thousands displaced.
“Marte was resettled four years ago after security forces reclaimed it from insurgents,” Zulum told reporters on Sunday. “But over the past few days, it has suffered renewed attacks. As I speak, about 20,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, most of them seeking refuge in Dikwa.”
Sources in the area reported that the insurgents launched multiple raids on villages including Kirenowa, Ala, and Kwalaram, destroying homes, health centres, and food supplies. Residents said the militants operated freely for hours, encountering little resistance from overwhelmed local defenders.
Zulum warned that if the military does not urgently reinforce the area, the last remaining town could fall, effectively handing Boko Haram full control of Marte LGA.
“If we lose this final town, we will lose the entire local government to the insurgents, which would be a major blow to our efforts in the northeast,” he said. “I am calling on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to act decisively and urgently. We must not allow this town to collapse.”
He also voiced concern about the risk of radicalisation in displacement camps, where large numbers of young people are without access to education or livelihoods.
“We must avoid a situation where displaced youths become vulnerable to extremist recruitment. That’s why holding this last town is so critical—not just for territory, but for stability and long-term peace,” Zulum said.
Despite the challenges, the governor noted some progress. He returned to Marte on Saturday, where he spent the night with the local community and military personnel, saying his presence had encouraged some residents to return.
“Thanks to the efforts of the Nigerian Army and our civilian volunteers, we’ve managed to re-establish some semblance of order in the town. But sustaining this requires more support,” he said.
Zulum pledged his administration’s continued support for military operations and community resilience initiatives.
“As governor, I will continue to stand by our troops and provide whatever support is necessary to restore peace and security across Borno,” he stated.
Marte’s strategic location near Lake Chad and its porous border with Cameroon and Chad makes it a prized target for insurgents seeking to control key logistical corridors. Its loss would mark a significant setback for counter-insurgency efforts in the northeast.
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