Chadian military strikes target Boko Haram strongholds
Since Friday, the air force of Tchad has been conducting intense strikes against jihadist positions on the islands of Lake Chad, located near the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Tchad. According to local defense sources, these maneuvers were launched as a response to a recent Boko Haram offensive against the Tchad military. The aerial campaign notably focused on Shuwa Island, a location identified as both a militant hub and a vital fishing zone frequented by Nigerians.
Fishermen reported missing after aerial bombardment
A representative from the Lake Chad fishermen’s union reported that at least 40 Nigerian citizens are currently missing and are presumed to have drowned following the bombardment. “The loss of life is significant,” stated Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga in northeastern Nigeria. He noted that the majority of those affected hailed from Doron Baga and Taraba State. Witnesses explained that the fishermen were only present in these high-risk areas after paying a mandatory tax imposed by Boko Haram insurgents to access the fish-rich waters.
A region plagued by ongoing instability
The Lake Chad basin, shared between Nigeria, Niger, Tchad, and Cameroun, has remained a sanctuary for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for more than fifteen years. Although a multinational joint task force was revitalized in 2015 to address this threat, regional cooperation has faced challenges, especially following the departure of Niger from the coalition in 2025. As of now, the military command in Tchad has yet to provide an official statement regarding the reports of civilian casualties.
