— AIG summons emergency security meeting over rising threats
It was another dark day in Borno State as two soldiers and two education officials lost their lives in separate terror attacks on Monday.
In Marte, a quiet town in the Lake Chad area of the state, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters stormed the community around 2:00 a.m., engaging troops in a fierce gun battle that left two soldiers dead.
According to security sources, the terrorists arrived under cover of darkness but were quickly intercepted by soldiers from the battalion stationed in the area. Reinforcements from the Brigade Headquarters and air support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helped push back the attackers.
Terrorism analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, confirmed that the terrorists were eventually forced to retreat, abandoning plans to overrun the town. However, the invaders managed to set fire to some military vehicles during the attack.
“They also fled with some motorcycles and two vehicles,” a military officer disclosed. “There is no report of any arms or ammunition being taken by the enemy.”
Meanwhile, the Brigade Commander is said to be on the ground in Marte to assess the aftermath of the attack.
Elsewhere, tragedy struck along the Damboa–Maiduguri highway as two staff of the Damboa Local Education Authority (LEA) were killed in a bomb explosion. The victims, identified as Blessings Luka and Gideon Bitterleaf, were reportedly seated in front of a Toyota Hiace van loaded with mangoes when the vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED), believed to have been planted by terrorists.
Witnesses said the explosion was devastating, killing both officials instantly and injuring several others. The incident has reignited fear among commuters along the volatile route, which has witnessed several ambushes and IED attacks in recent months.
“They were dedicated and hardworking,” a source from Damboa said, mourning the loss of the LEA workers.
Reacting to the spike in security threats, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 15, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, called an emergency security meeting in Maiduguri yesterday.
Addressing stakeholders at the Police Headquarters, the AIG emphasised the need for synergy among security operatives and the local population in tackling insecurity in the region.
According to him, despite progress in reclaiming communities from insurgents, Borno still faces serious security challenges including banditry, kidnapping, youth restiveness, and highway robbery.
“This engagement is part of our efforts to consolidate gains made in the fight against insecurity and align with the strategic vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to reduce crime by 40 per cent nationwide in 2025,” he said.
The AIG also underscored the importance of grassroots intelligence and community-based policing, urging traditional rulers, youth groups, and civil society to play active roles in maintaining peace.
As security operatives continue to track the attackers, residents of Borno are once again reminded of the urgent need for vigilance, coordination, and collective responsibility in the face of persistent threats.
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