Nigerian Army confirms recapture of Marte as explosions rock Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday confirmed the recapture of Marte from the Boko Haram insurgents.

Nigerian troops had earlier on Tuesday successfully recaptured the town located on the western coast of Lake Chad.

The terrorists who were armed with machine guns had on January 16 overran a military base in the area and killed seven people.

They also seized weapons, ammunition, six-wheel vehicles, and burnt down the military barrack.

However, several terrorists who laid siege in Marte were killed by troops as they charged into the town on Tuesday.

The Army Director of Public in Relations, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, confirmed the recapture of the town in a statement titled: “Troops recovered Marte and killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West African Province terrorists.”

READ ALSO: Nigerian military recaptures Marte, kills several terrorists

The statement read: “Troops of Nigerian Army this afternoon, around 3:00 p.m., recovered New Marte and adjoining communities from the devilish Boko Haram terrorists.

“This is coming less than 48 hours after the Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, gave the troops the directive to recapture Marte Town.

“The troops backed by air cover from the Nigerian Air force, successfully charged through Marte town, destroying several Improvised Explosive Devices and landmines laced across their routes and killing scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and successfully recovered the town.

“The gallant troops are currently in total control of the general area.”

Meanwhile, explosions rocked the Gomari area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday evening.

Residents told journalists they heard multiple gunshots around the Mairi area of the town at about 6:15 p.m.

The area is close to the University of Maiduguri and dominated by students of the institution.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now