BY YUNUSA BUNU ZANNA, MAY 13, 2025, 11:12 AM
The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has once again overrun a military base in Borno State, just weeks after its attack on the Buni Gari base in Yobe.
The attacked base—Forward Operation Base, 153 Battalion, located in Marte Local Government Area—is one of the major military outposts in northern Borno.
According to security sources, the terrorists launched the attack around 3 a.m. on Monday.
Sources said the insurgents advanced on foot from multiple directions, overwhelming the troops and forcing a retreat to Dikwa.
'They came from different directions on foot, and the troops had to fall back to Dikwa, as a tactical withdrawal. Many are still missing though,' one source disclosed.
A video circulating on social media, believed to have been recorded by troops who later recovered the base with reinforcements from Dikwa, shows extensive damage and looting.
The footage reveals that the entire base was ransacked, with military equipment and food supplies stolen.
A voice in the background of the video claims that the terrorists carted away with 47 motorcycles recently donated by the state government to aid military operations, as well as gun trucks and ammunition.
The base’s armory was reportedly looted and set ablaze.
Several vehicles, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks, were also destroyed by fire.
Although the attack took place under the cover of darkness, the insurgents reportedly withdrew in the morning, just before the deployment of the Nigerian Air Force.
Local farmers later reported seeing the terrorists moving around Chukungudu and Krenuwa, chanting 'Allahu Akbar.'
Others were sighted heading toward the Arinna area.
Another source confirmed that the insurgents were spotted in Klabariya later in the day, transporting stolen motorcycles, weapons, and food supplies.
This incident came just days after the Chief of Army Staff visited the North East, particularly Borno and Yobe States—regions where insurgent attacks have been on the rise again.
In the past three months, ISWAP has not only resumed attacks on military bases but has also consistently looted weapons and destroyed military infrastructure.
Implications
Without a robust and coordinated military response to counter the resurgence of terrorist attacks, there is a serious risk that insurgents could regain the territorial control they once had—displacing entire local governments and forcing millions into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
This concern is especially urgent now, as the state government is in the process of shutting down existing IDP camps.
Despite these challenges, there remains strong belief that the Nigerian military, with the full support of the federal government, possesses the capability and capacity to decisively end the insurgency in the shortest possible time.
However, success will likely depend on a well-coordinated joint effort, particularly with the Nigerian Air Force, to prevent further setbacks on the ground.
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