Mike Odeh James
The recent Boko Haram attack on a military base in Marte, Borno State, has triggered a fresh wave of outrage and grief across Nigeria, with a leading youth group in the North-East calling for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
The attack, which claimed the lives of five soldiers and resulted in the looting of military hardware and vehicles, has been described as a tragic symbol of the Nigerian government’s ongoing struggle to quell insurgency in the region.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the North-East Youth Revival Movement (NEYM), through its chairman Abbarious Lawal, condemned the attack and laid the blame squarely on what it called the “glaring inadequacies” of Nigeria’s defense leadership.
“In light of this devastating event, we hereby call for the immediate resignation of Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar,” the statement read. “This demand reflects a growing frustration among the citizens of Nigeria regarding the government’s failure to provide adequate security and effectively combat the escalating threat posed by insurgents.”
According to NEYM, the assault on the military base was not just a military failure but a collapse of morale and strategic coherence. The group revealed that soldiers abandoned their posts and fled to nearby villages following the attack—a situation it says illustrates a “critical crisis of confidence within our military ranks.”
The insurgents reportedly launched a coordinated offensive on the forward operating base, overpowered the troops, looted weapons, and seized military vehicles. NEYM noted that the aftermath of the assault was “catastrophic,” leaving the soldiers “demoralized and terrified.”
“The harrowing sight of a commanding officer’s vehicle, along with essential military resources, falling into the hands of the insurgents further compromises our operational capacity and undermines morale,” the statement added.
The group stressed that the implications of the attack go far beyond military losses. Civilians in nearby communities, fearing for their lives, fled their homes en masse. Residents of Marte and surrounding towns reportedly fled to safer areas such as Dikwa, Lukumani, and Mafa, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
“The ongoing conflict has spiraled into a humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and forcing them into overcrowded IDP camps that lack basic services,” the group lamented.
NEYM cited a recent report by SBM Intelligence, which revealed that over 2,000 people were killed in violent incidents across Nigeria from January to March 2025. Of those, 892 were civilians, 462 were labeled as bandits, and 234 were Boko Haram members. Borno State topped the casualty chart.
“These staggering statistics underscore the indiscriminate nature of violence in our region and the urgent need for effective intervention,” the group noted.
In its critique of the federal government’s counter-insurgency strategy, NEYM accused the Ministry of Defence of lacking vision and failing to support frontline troops adequately.
“The Nigerian government’s response to the Boko Haram insurgency has often been criticized for its lack of strategic planning, inadequate resources, and a failure to engage with local communities effectively,” the statement said.
The group emphasized that the burden on Nigerian soldiers is becoming unbearable. Many troops, they argue, are sent into high-risk zones without the necessary training, equipment, or psychological support.
“The abandonment of posts by soldiers in the face of overwhelming odds is not merely an act of cowardice but a reflection of systemic failures within the military structure,” NEYM stated. “It is essential to address the root causes of this crisis, including inadequate funding, lack of morale, and insufficient strategic planning.”
While acknowledging the immense sacrifices made by Nigerian troops, the group insisted that those at the helm of military leadership must be held to account. “Our call for the resignation or retirement of Minister Badaru Abubakar by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is emblematic of a broader demand for accountability within our government,” the statement continued.
NEYM warned that unless the country embarks on a path of serious reform and accountability, the cycles of violence, displacement, and national insecurity will only worsen.
“As the conflict continues to claim tens of thousands of lives and destroy entire communities, it is imperative that those in leadership positions are held accountable for their actions—or inactions,” the group stressed.
According to NEYM, Nigeria is at a critical juncture where continued tolerance of leadership failures will only entrench insurgency further. “We must prioritize accountability, reform, and a renewed commitment to the safety and security of all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
As Marte mourns its fallen soldiers and thousands seek refuge from a deepening crisis, the demands from NEYM reflect a larger frustration simmering across the country—one that may soon force a national reckoning on the cost of complacency in the face of terror.
