Insecurity: Stop sacrificing our children, parents of military personnel tell FG

Nigerian troops

Family members of soldiers killed during recent battles against insurgents in the North-East have mourned the death of their loved ones, urging the government to put an end to the bloodbath in the region.

The relatives, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH in separate interviews, also called on the Federal Government to demonstrate genuine commitment to the fight against insurgency by providing adequate arms and ammunition, improving the welfare of military personnel, and caring for the families of fallen soldiers.

The families spoke after Monday’s attack on a military base in Marte, Borno State, which claimed the lives of five soldiers.

Attacks on military bases

Boko Haram insurgents had invaded the Forward Operating Base in the early hours of that day, overpowering the soldiers on duty, looting weapons, and escaping with military vehicles.

Multiple military sources told Saturday PUNCH that some soldiers who witnessed the attack abandoned their posts and returned to their hometowns.

However, the Defence Headquarters said troops repelled the attack.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, in a statement on Friday, said, “Troops of the AFN in Marte came under attack on Monday, 12 May 2025, around 3am.

“However, the troops were able to repel the terrorists after a fierce gun battle, with a large number of terrorists neutralised while others escaped with bullet wounds.”

There have been repeated attacks on military installations in Borno and Yobe states since the beginning of the year by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

 noted that the insurgents launched their first attack of the year on a Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, on January 4.