In a dramatic show of force, Nigerian troops repelled a midnight assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on New Marte in Borno State, forcing the insurgents to abandon a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) and evacuate at least 15 of their dead.
Zagazola Makama, a renowned counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, revealed the incident in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, citing impeccable security sources.
According to Makama, the terrorists launched a coordinated attack at approximately 1:35 a.m., storming New Marte on about 20 motorcycles and accompanied by a bomb-rigged vehicle designed to breach military defenses.
However, their plan quickly unraveled as they encountered overwhelming firepower from Nigerian troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai, with critical support from the Nigerian Air Force’s air component.
The failed offensive resulted in significant ISWAP casualties. “The VBIED, meant to cause maximum damage, was abandoned by the terrorists as they fled under sustained fire and aerial bombardment,” Makama reported.
The swift response by security forces underscores the growing efficiency of joint military operations in the northeast, where ISWAP has continued to pose a threat to stability. The evacuation of bodies and abandoned explosives highlight the insurgents’ desperation and the evolving success of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategies.
Security analysts see the failed attack as a blow to ISWAP’s operational capacity and morale, signaling progress in the ongoing effort to reclaim and secure volatile territories in the Lake Chad region.
