Boko Haram insurgents have retaken Marte town in Borno State, North-East Nigeria, the state deputy governor has said.

Marte was liberated in February but Reuters minutes ago quoted deputy governor Zannah Umar Mustapha as saying: “It is sad as we have been made to understand that Marte is today completely fallen under the control of the insurgents, which to us is a very huge set back.”

Boko Haram previously occupied large swathes of territory in the North-East but has been pushed out, except in the Sambisa forest reserve, which remains their last major stronghold.

•Photo shows Boko Haram insurgents.