The Nigerian military has downplayed recent media reports that Marte, a border town in
Borno State has been recaptured by Boko Haram insurgents, saying it was a mere case
of fleeing terrorists discovering a deserted town and deciding to shelter
there.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris
Olukolade, Marte had been deserted before the recent occupation by insurgents
after the military retook the town from the terrorists in February.
“There has not been any static deployment of troops in Marte for quite
some time in line with the need to emphasize more aggressive patrol of many
threatened isolated communities while the assault on the forests and mountain
hideouts of terrorists is on-going,” Olukolade said in a statement.
“Only occasional patrols and surveillance have been undertaken towards
the area, as the bulk of troops are engaged in the operation to clear the
terrorists from all identified enclaves in the forest.
“Besides, Marte had been deserted by citizens, most of whom had fled to
other towns while others are in IDP camps located in Maiduguri and other
places.
“It is understandable that those terrorists escaping from the offensive
operations in Sambisa and other enclaves are looking for place of respite. They
must have found the Marte deserted and decided to harbour there.
“Now that their presence is reported, the issue will definitely be
addressed in a very short while.
“There is really no cause for alarm in the way some reports are
presenting this situation, as if it is a meaningful resurgence of terrorists.
“There will, certainly, be no respite for terrorists anywhere in
Nigeria. Wait and see,” he said.
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