Over 20,000 people have fled Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state following increasing attacks by Islamist militants in Marte town, four years after residents returned to the town that was once controlled by insurgents.
Borno state has witnessed an upsurge in attacks by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) assailants this year, raising concerns that the militants are making gains again after years of intense attacks by the military.
Borno state governor Babagana Zulum visited Marte, which is close to the border with Cameroon, to assess the security situation and meet military officials.
His visit followed a raid on Marte’s army base last week in which militants temporarily overran the installation, killing at least five soldiers while others went missing.
Zulum, who also visited Rann, another town where an army base was attacked last week, is expected to visit Kalawa Balge where 23 farmers were killed by suspected militants.
The state’s resettlement programme—meant to shut IDP camps and restore communities like Marte—is now at risk as residents, once hopeful, fear further displacement.
The 16-year insurgency has left thousands dead and millions displaced, with militants now adopting new tactics like drone surveillance to outmaneuver security forces.
