Suspected Boko Haram terrorists

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have carried out a fresh wave of deadly attacks in Borno State, targeting a military base in Marte Local Government Area and killing two teachers in a landmine explosion in Damboa Local Government Area.

According to security and local sources, heavily armed insurgents launched an assault on the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the 153 Task Force Battalion in Marte at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday. The attackers reportedly overran the base after a fierce gun battle, destroying armoured tanks and looting arms and ammunition.

While the military are yet to officially confirm the casualty figure, sources within the area said several soldiers may have been killed in the ambush. “The terrorists burnt down armoured vehicles and made away with weapons. It was a coordinated and devastating strike,” a security source said under anonymity.

The attack in Marte came just hours before another tragic incident in Damboa, where two education workers from the Local Government Education Authority were killed after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) suspected to have been planted by insurgents.

The victims were identified as Blessing Luka of Junior Day New School and Bitaleaf Gedion of Junior Day Secondary School (UBE) Islamiya, both in Damboa. They were en route to Maiduguri to sit for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) examination when their vehicle, reportedly carrying mangoes, hit the landmine along the Maiduguri–Damboa–Biu highway.

A source close to the victims said the journey, meant to advance their professional careers, turned tragic.

“Their deaths are a painful reminder of the fragile security situation in our region. They were dedicated teachers, and their loss has deeply affected the education community in Damboa,” the source said.

The District Head of Damboa, Alhaji Zanna Lawan Maina, confirmed the incident and appealed to residents to remain prayerful and hopeful for peace in Borno and Nigeria at large.

Reacting to the renewed wave of attacks, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, described the situation as “deeply troubling” and called for urgent action from the Federal Government and military authorities. “This is not the time for complacency. The military must be properly trained, armed, equipped and motivated to face these threats,” he said.

The fresh attacks come amid heightened concern over security in Borno, prompting an emergency security meeting in Maiduguri earlier this week. Stakeholders, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 15, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, are expected to announce new measures to tackle the growing threat of insurgency, kidnapping, and violent crimes in the region.