Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a Nigerian Army base in Borno State’s Marte Local Government Area early on Monday, resulting in casualties and the capture of several soldiers, as reported by Vanguard.

The attack occurred at around 3 a.m. at the Forward Operation Base of the 153 Task Force Battalion, located in Marte.

According to local and security sources, the soldiers stationed at the base were overpowered by the terrorists, leading to the deaths of some and the capture of others. A source, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) took control of Marte during the raid.

The source further disclosed that an unspecified number of soldiers were killed, some captured, and many others fled toward the nearby town of Dikwa, which is 38 kilometers away from Marte and serves as the headquarters of the Dikwa Local Government Area. The fleeing soldiers sought refuge at the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa.

The terrorists also destroyed military equipment during the attack. They set fire to armored tanks and seized a significant amount of arms and ammunition from the base.

A resident in Dikwa reported hearing intense gunfire as the attack unfolded, and a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet was seen hovering over the area but was unable to effectively stop the terrorists’ advance.

This attack is part of an ongoing series of assaults by terrorist groups in the region. Over the past month, military installations in various parts of Borno and Yobe States, including Sabon Gari, Izge, Wulgo, and Buni Yadi, have been targeted. These recent offensives have resulted in the dislodgment of military forces without significant resistance.

Efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the attack and to regain control of the affected area. The situation remains tense as security forces work to contain the escalating violence in the region.