At least 20,000 people have fled the town of Marte in northeastern Nigeria's Borno state after a series of militant attacks, according to Governor Babagana Zulum. The mass displacement follows an assault by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, who temporarily overran a local army base last week, killing at least five soldiers and leaving others missing.

Governor Zulum visited Marte, located near the border with Cameroon, to assess the security situation and meet with military officials. "Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again," Zulum told reporters on Sunday. He also confirmed that many residents had fled to the nearby town of Dikwa, fearing further violence.

The ongoing violence has displaced over two million people and killed thousands in Nigeria over the past 16 years, according to humanitarian organizations. Security analysts warn that the recent attacks indicate a resurgence of insurgent activity, including the use of drones for surveillance by militants. Zulum emphasized the need for a more robust military response to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

The resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Borno state reflects the challenges facing Nigeria's counterinsurgency efforts. Despite years of military operations, the region remains highly volatile, with frequent attacks on military installations and civilian populations. The displacement of thousands of residents from Marte underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad Basin.