More than 20,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Marte, northeastern Nigeria, following a series of deadly raids by armed groups, Borno State authorities have confirmed. The fresh wave of violence has once again emptied a town that had only recently begun to rebuild after years of conflict.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum made the announcement during a visit to Marte on Sunday, just days after fighters overran a military base in the area. At least five soldiers were killed in the raid, with others still unaccounted for.
“Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and displaced again,” Zulum told reporters. He said most of the town’s residents have now relocated to Dikwa, a nearby community that is already sheltering thousands of displaced people.
The attack on Marte is part of a broader escalation in violence across Borno, where armed groups have stepped up assaults on both civilian communities and military installations. In addition to Marte, Zulum visited Rann, another town recently targeted, and is expected to travel to Kalawa Balge where 23 farmers were killed last week.
The resurgence in attacks has cast doubt on the Borno State government’s resettlement programme, which aimed to return displaced people to their hometowns and close camps in Maiduguri, the state capital. Marte had been showcased as a model of successful reintegration — a symbol of progress that now lies in jeopardy.
Over the past 16 years, the conflict in northeastern Nigeria has displaced over two million people and claimed thousands of lives. Despite military efforts, armed factions continue to shift tactics, making it increasingly difficult to sustain security gains.
Analysts and security personnel say the groups have become more strategic in recent months, using surveillance tools and targeting isolated areas where state presence is limited.
Governor Zulum warned that continued displacement poses significant risks, especially for young men. “Leaving residents in camps, especially in Dikwa, is dangerous. It leaves the youth vulnerable to recruitment,” he said.
As families flee yet again, calls are growing for renewed military coordination and stronger protection for rural communities. For many in Marte, hope has given way to fear — and the long road to recovery begins once more.