Somtochukwu

Hundreds of civilians have fled their homes in Marte, a community in Borno State, after suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military base and raze down public buildings in the fringes of Lake Chad Basin, sources said.

It was learnt that the terrorists in their hundreds stormed the recently resettled community in the northern part of the state on Friday evening, shooting from all angles and forcing returnees to flee into the bushes.

An official of the Borno State Government told our correspondent that there was a gun battle between troops and insurgents for hours at Marte town on Friday evening.

He added that hundreds of civilians slept in the bushes and trekked throughout the night but have started arriving Dikwa town, which is about 25 kilometers away.

“It was a disturbing news. We got the sad news last night around 8:pm that the troops have been engaging the insurgents for hours.

“As I am speaking to you, hundreds of returnees fled their homes and are taking refuge in Dikwa.

“The troops have displayed gallantry but the insurgents came in hundreds, according to information we received.

“Our prayers are with the troops,” the source disclosed.

A security source also revealed that the insurgents attacked military formations.

The source further stressed that, this morning, there was a reinforcement from Dikwa which engaged the outlawed group but the details are not available as of the time of filling this report.

However, unconfirmed reports stated that insurgents may have overran Marte last night.

It would be recalled that on 1st December, 2020 the State resettled 500 households, comprising 2,870 returnees after six years in exile.

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