Soldiers Still Missing After ISWAP Attack On Marte

Many soldiers are reportedly unaccounted for after the early Monday morning attack by Islamic State of West African Province ( ISWAP  ) terrorists who raided the military formation in Marte local government area of Borno State, sources said.

LEADERSHIP had earlier reported how the ISWAP terrorists attacked and looted armoury in the Marte attack and killed four, while thousands of villagers fled their homes to the neighbouring Dikwa local government area.

A security source who is familiar with the situation revealed that many soldiers were either abducted or wounded in the attack by the invading terrorists.

“This morning, about 20 soldiers are still missing. They are yet to return after yesterday’s (Monday) sad incident, but we are hopeful they are alive,” a security source said.

Another source urged the military to mobilise resources to confront the deadly groups.

“We are experiencing renewed attacks from the terrorists; they are still in control of the base, and armed forces should, as a matter of urgency, restore normalcy in the affected communities, ” the source said.

Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, have repelled a deadly attack on Dikwa, the neighbouring local government area to Marte.

A Civilian Joint Task Force member who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the terrorists sent two drones for surveillance before launching the attack on a military outpost.

He said the attack occurred around 1:00 am on Tuesday and lasted for one hour, with heavy resistance from the Nigerian Army and CJTF.

“They may have followed our troops who retreated from the unfortunate incident that happened in Marte, but this time,  our military responded beautifully and secured our territory,” the source said.