By Abdul Lauya
Nigerian troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) repelled a fierce night attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents on New Marte, Borno State, in a joint land and air operation that began at 1:35am.
The military reported that two soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty, while an unspecified number of terrorists were neutralized during the engagement.
Following the confrontation, troops launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing insurgents, combing nearby areas to prevent regrouping or further attacks.
This latest assault marks a disturbing pattern of renewed insurgent activities across the North East, particularly in remote or recently reclaimed territories like New Marte.
Over the past months, ISWAP and Boko Haram factions have intensified nighttime raids and ambushes targeting military outposts, leveraging the difficult terrain and darkness to gain tactical surprise.
Military sources suggest that recent rains may have opened up long-blocked bush paths, enabling insurgent movements and resupply efforts from cross-border sanctuaries in the Lake Chad Basin.
Analysts say the spike in attacks could also reflect strategic desperation within the insurgent ranks, especially amid increased counterterrorism pressure and factional in-fighting.
The growing toll on Nigerian troops underscores the persistent asymmetry in the conflict, where insurgents employ guerrilla tactics against overstretched military formations.
Critics argue that despite battlefield successes, the lack of sustained stabilization efforts in liberated areas allows insurgents to regroup and launch renewed offensives.
With another deadly encounter claiming soldiers’ lives, the Nigerian military faces an urgent challenge, not just to win battles, but to sustain peace and prevent a relapse into insecurity.
