Chadian military strikes on Lake Chad leave Nigerian fishermen missing

The Chadian armed forces have launched aerial bombardments on multiple islands in Lake Chad, situated within Nigerian territory, alleging these areas serve as strongholds for Boko Haram militants. This escalation follows a recent assault by the armed group against Chadian military outposts.

Impact on local fishermen in Nigeria

Witnesses, including members of anti-jihadist vigilante groups, report that dozens of Nigerian fishermen have been missing since the strikes began three days ago. The vast Lake Chad basin, shared by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has become a hotspot for insurgent activity since 2009, hosting both Boko Haram and ISWAP factions. An anonymous member of an anti-jihadist defense group stated, “Casualty figures remain unclear as operations are still ongoing.”

The strikes targeted islands near the Chadian border, controlled by Boko Haram, in retaliation for the group’s prior attack on Chadian military positions. Many fishermen in the region operate under the militant group’s permission, paying taxes to access lucrative fishing zones. “The bombings resulted in significant losses among Nigerian fishermen who were active in the area with Boko Haram’s approval,” the source explained.

Missing fishermen confirmed

A representative from the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Union reported that 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and likely drowned as a result of the airstrikes. Survivors from the nearby Nigerian town of Doron Baga and Taraba State corroborated the claims. Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga, noted, “Many lives were lost. Most casualties came from fishing communities along Nigeria’s lake shores.” He added that “It’s common knowledge that fishermen pay fees to Boko Haram to access these fish-rich islands.”

The Chadian military has yet to issue an official statement regarding civilian casualties.

History of accidental strikes on civilians

This isn’t the first time the Chadian military has faced accusations of inadvertently targeting fishermen while pursuing Boko Haram. In October 2024, a retaliatory strike on Tilma Island, aimed at avenging the deaths of 40 Chadian soldiers, reportedly killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen. The military denied accusations of civilian targeting in that incident.

Boko Haram’s regional threat

The insurgency, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people in Nigeria’s northeast, has expanded across borders into neighboring Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. In 2015, the four countries reactivated a multinational joint task force to combat jihadist groups around Lake Chad. However, Niger withdrew from the alliance in 2025 due to escalating tensions among member states, further complicating regional security efforts.