ISWAP Storms Marte: Soldiers Overrun, Borno Border Town Now Under Terrorist Control

In a bold and coordinated assault late Monday night, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a devastating offensive on Marte, a strategic town in northern Borno State, forcing Nigerian troops to retreat and leaving the community fully under terrorist control.

Eyewitnesses from surrounding villages reported heavy gunfire and explosions echoing through the night as ISWAP militants advanced in convoys, overpowering security outposts and cutting off escape routes. By dawn, military presence had all but vanished, with locals confirming that ISWAP flag was hoisted over key buildings, including the town’s administrative headquarters.

A local vigilante leader, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told Dobblog:

“The soldiers fought back for hours, but the attackers came with superior firepower. They surrounded the town from three directions. We heard the army eventually withdrew toward Monguno.”

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This marks the third time Marte has fallen into the hands of ISWAP in less than five years, reigniting concerns about the Nigerian military’s ability to hold regained territory in the troubled Northeast.

Though the Defence Headquarters in Abuja has yet to release an official statement, a source within the Nigerian Army confirmed that reinforcements are being mobilized from Maiduguri and Damasak to attempt a counter-operation.

The humanitarian fallout is already unfolding. Hundreds of residents have fled on foot, trekking through dangerous bush paths toward safer areas like Monguno and Gubio. Aid workers fear a spike in internally displaced persons (IDPs) and a renewed pressure on overcrowded camps.

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Security analysts warn that the capture of Marte could be a strategic prelude to further ISWAP expansion along Lake Chad’s corridor, enabling access to weapons, smuggling routes, and recruitment channels.

A retired military officer, speaking to Dobblog, described the development as a national security emergency:

“Marte is not just a town it’s a gateway to Lake Chad and the heartbeat of northern Borno. Losing it again is a major blow.”

This latest attack signals a grim reminder that, despite official claims of progress, the insurgency in Nigeria’s Northeast is far from over.