Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to implement urgent and decisive measures to prevent the strategic town of Marte from falling into the hands of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents,leadership reports.
Zulum, who was deeply involved in coordinating security logistics late into Saturday night, visited Marte to assess the situation firsthand and explore long-term solutions aimed at restoring stability to the area.
Prior to his arrival, Marte had been completely deserted following a Boko Haram attack last Friday, forcing thousands of residents to flee to Dikwa town for safety.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Governor Zulum said his visit was intended to strengthen community cooperation, encourage resilience, and reaffirm support for security agencies. “Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, it was attacked and displaced again in the past three days,” he noted.
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He revealed that approximately 20,000 residents had fled to Dikwa, expressing concern that the displacement could make many young people vulnerable to insurgent recruitment. “Alhamdulillah, with the support of the Nigerian Army and our civilian volunteers, we returned to Marte yesterday and spent the night there. The community has now been resettled for the second time,” he said.
The governor emphasized the importance of securing the area: “Marte Local Government once had over 300 communities. Today, only one remains. If we lose this one, we lose the entire LGA, which would be disastrous. That’s why I’m appealing to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to join forces and ensure this town remains secured.”
Governor Zulum reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to peace and security in Borno, stating, “As governor, I will do everything within my capacity to support our courageous military and their efforts to achieve lasting peace in our dear state.”
