Prelude to the Attack

In the early hours of Monday, May 12, 2025, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a coordinated assault on the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the 153 Task Force Battalion in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack began around 3:00 a.m., leading to the death and capture of an unspecified number of soldiers, while many fled toward Dikwa.

Tactical Success for Insurgents

According to security sources, ISWAP fighters overpowered the troops, looted the military base, and set fire to armored tanks and operational vehicles. The attackers also seized arms and ammunition from the armory, bolstering their ability to sustain further offensives. This outcome reflects both an intelligence failure and a tactical gap in the military’s defense strategy in a zone known for insurgent activity.

Marte’s Strategic Significance

Marte is located in Nigeria’s northeastern corridor near the Lake Chad Basin, a region where national borders of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad converge. Historically contested by Boko Haram and ISWAP, the town serves as a strategic transit hub for arms and fighters, offering insurgents access to cross-border smuggling routes and remote safe havens.

Military Response and Retake Efforts

Reinforcements from the Nigerian Air Force and local vigilantes including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were reportedly deployed to support counter-offensives. Though the base was retaken by troops, the arms store was looted and set ablaze, further complicating efforts to reestablish secure operations in the area.

Humanitarian Fallout

The fallout was immediate. Hundreds of civilians, particularly women and children fled to neighboring Dikwa. However, thousands remain trapped in New Marte, exposing them to food insecurity, trauma, and potential abuse. This attack adds to the humanitarian toll in Borno State, where displaced populations already exceed 2.2 million.

Escalating Pattern of Insurgent Attacks

This incident is the latest in a pattern of high-profile attacks, including the recent Malam Fatori base assault where 22 soldiers were killed. Analysts argue that ISWAP is exploiting security gaps in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest regions to escalate its campaign.

Policy Implications and the Road Ahead

Despite a record defense budget in 2025, Nigeria’s security forces remain stretched. The fall of Marte underscores the urgent need for an integrated security approach, combining military operations, intelligence sharing, and community-based peacebuilding strategies.

Without systemic reforms and regional cooperation, ISWAP will likely continue to challenge state authority and prolong instability across the Northeast and Lake Chad regions.