At least 15 fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed in the early hours of Tuesday during a failed assault on Nigerian military positions in New Marte, Borno State.
The attackers, who stormed the area around 1:35 a.m. on approximately 20 motorcycles, were reportedly armed and accompanied by a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) aimed at breaching military defences.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited impeccable sources, the terrorists intended to overwhelm troops stationed in the town.
“They came in large numbers, hoping to overrun the battalion using a VBIED as the lead weapon,” said Makama. “But they were met with fierce resistance from ground troops and devastating airstrikes.”
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, backed by the Nigerian Air Force’s Air Component, swiftly responded to the incursion, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents.
The VBIED, which was expected to cause significant destruction, was abandoned as the attackers retreated under heavy gunfire and sustained aerial bombardment.
“In the chaos that followed, their comrades were seen evacuating at least 15 bodies from the scene,” a military source disclosed.
The military is yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources say a sweep of the area is ongoing to assess the damage and secure the perimeter.
New Marte, a town in the Lake Chad region, has been a recurrent target for ISWAP due to its strategic military and logistical importance.