A major military base in northeastern Nigeria withstood a fierce dawn assault by Boko Haram terrorists, resulting in significant casualties, military sources said Tuesday. The attack on the Forward Operating Base in Marte, Borno State, is the second such incident in two weeks .
The assault began around 3 a.m. local time on Monday. A senior military official reported that more than 10 soldiers were killed in the attack. The insurgents overwhelmed the base, burning down armored vehicles and seizing arms and ammunition . This attack is part of a worrying resurgence of jihadist activity in Nigeria's northeast, challenging security forces .
In a separate but related incident, troops demonstrated resilience days later. They successfully repelled a coordinated Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attack on a different Forward Operating Base in Kangar, Mallam Fatori, Borno State. That assault involved armed drones and mortar shells. The army stated that reinforcements and support from Nigerien fighter aircraft helped overpower the insurgents after an intense firefight, leading to six terrorists being killed .
The Nigerian military has intensified its operations this year. This comes after persistent targeted attacks on its formations . Just last week, the army announced a series of successful counter-terrorism operations across the country. These operations included foiling kidnap plots and rescuing victims in multiple states .
The recent attacks occur amid a complex security crisis. The conflict with Boko Haram, which began in 2009, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over two million from their homes . The group is known for mass terrorist attacks and gained international notoriety for the 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok .
The situation in the region remains volatile. In a recent village attack in Darul Jamal, Boko Haram killed more than 60 people. The Nigerian Air Force later reported killing 30 militants in retaliatory airstrikes . In a separate weekend attack, suspected Islamist militants killed at least 40 farmers in Borno state. Governor Babagana Zulum blamed Boko Haram or ISWAP and called for a military response .
Governor Zulum has voiced concerns about the military's capacity. He stated that the numerical strength of the Nigerian army is not enough to contain the situation. He has placed hope in a newly established force called the Forest Guards to bolster security personnel .
The violence in Nigeria has attracted international attention. The U.S. government has approved a potential $346 million weapons sale to improve security in the country . Recently, comments from U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action over alleged religious persecution and terrorism concerns have created diplomatic tension .
Nigerian officials have strongly rejected these claims. Information Minister Mohammed Idris said accusations of Christian persecution are false and divisive. He affirmed that Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalized in Nigeria . The country is home to Africa's largest Christian population, with more than 90 million Christians .
Analysts say there is no clear evidence that Christians are attacked more than other religious groups. The violence has deep roots in territorial conflicts. In Nigeria's Middle Belt, conflicts between mostly Christian farmers and mostly Muslim herders have devolved into bloody land grabs .
The national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, recently identified a major internal threat. He accused soldiers and police of selling and hiring out their weapons to criminals. This aids the proliferation of small arms and threatens national security .
Security analyst Kabir Adamu points to a lack of accountability. He said not one single person has been held accountable for recent security failures, and funds for security are frequently stolen .
The human cost of the conflict is immense. One survivor of a mass kidnapping in Zamfara state described a horrific ordeal. She said captives were starved and beaten, and some did not survive. Another Muslim survivor said he watched his brother die in captivity .
The ongoing instability has severe economic consequences. Attacks on farmers are common and exacerbate food shortages in the impoverished northeast. Authorities urge farmers to stick to designated safe zones, but some lament leaving more fertile soil in dangerous areas untended .
Data on violence in Nigeria is contentious. A report from the National Bureau of Statistics that said over 600,000 people were killed in one year was later withdrawn. The agency claimed its website was hacked .
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who won the 2023 election on a promise to tackle security crises, has defended Nigeria's record. His administration claims to have eliminated more than 13,500 terrorists this year .
Despite the military's efforts, the threat remains. The fight against terrorism and banditry is a difficult guerrilla-style conflict. Perpetrators strike quickly and blend into the general population, making conventional military methods less effective .
As the sun sets on another day in Borno, the bravely held base in Marte stands as a symbol of a long and costly war. The soldiers there paid a high price to prevent a massacre, a story of terror and survival that repeats across the region.