The Nigerian army has recaptured Marte, an area in Borno state, from the hold of suspected members of the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP).
Mohammed Yerima, army spokesperson, confirmed the development on Tuesday. “Yes, we have recaptured the area,” he said.
The development comes after Ibrahim Attahiru, the chief of army staff, gave the soldiers 48 hours to recapture the town and other enclaves held by the insurgents.
The army chief had, on Sunday, asked the troops to clear areas around Marte, Chikingudo, Kirenowa, up to Kirta.
He had also assured the soldiers that the necessary provisions would be made for all they needed to ensure satisfactory performance on the field.
“You must not let this nation down. Go back and do the needful and I will be right behind you,” the army chief had said on Sunday.
Earlier on Tuesday, about 100 villagers in Marte were being held by ISWAP members.
Military sources had told TheCable that the captured villagers were being used as human shields against military offensives.
“The soldiers on ground are in close range, but air strikes from the NAF air support have been put on hold to avoid casualties on the civilians held hostage,” one of the sources had said.
