Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has raised serious concerns over the growing threat of Boko Haram insurgents in Marte Local Government Area (LGA), revealing that only one town remains under government control out of over 300 in the area.
Governor Zulum made the alarming statement on Sunday after visiting Marte, where he assessed the security situation. The visit came just days after insurgents ransacked the town, forcing over 20,000 residents to flee to neighboring Dikwa for safety.
Speaking to journalists, Zulum emphasized that Marte was resettled just four years ago but has now been displaced again by insurgents. He warned that the fall of the last standing town would result in the entire LGA being overrun by Boko Haram and ISWAP militants.
“The situation is dire. If we cannot secure this last town, we risk losing the entire LGA. This cannot be allowed to happen,” Zulum said, calling on the federal government and Nigerian military to step up efforts to protect Marte.
The governor also expressed concern over the vulnerability of displaced youths, fearing that their continued stay in camps could make them easy targets for insurgent recruitment.
Despite the ongoing threats, Zulum reported that some displaced residents had started returning to Marte with the help of security forces and volunteers. He pledged to continue supporting the Nigerian Army in their efforts to restore peace and stability to the region.
Zulum’s warning highlights the ongoing security challenges in Borno State, where insurgent attacks continue to displace thousands of residents and threaten the stability of local communities.
