Chad strikes jihadists on lake Chad dozens of fishermen feared dead
Following recent jihadist attacks near Chad’s borders, the Chadian army launched air strikes targeting militant positions on Lake Chad. The operation, which began on Friday, has reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties, including dozens of Nigerian fishermen feared dead.
Local sources, including members of an anti-jihadist self-defense group, report that the military strikes are ongoing, making it challenging to determine the exact death toll. “It’s impossible to provide an accurate count as the operation continues,” stated an anonymous witness.
The strikes were in response to an earlier attack by Boko Haram on May 4, which killed at least 24 Chadian soldiers and left several others injured. The militants targeted a military base near the lake, prompting Chad’s retaliation.
Island of Shuwa: a jihadist stronghold and fishing hub
According to witnesses, the strikes targeted Shuwa Island—a remote area where the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad converge. Shuwa is a known stronghold of Boko Haram and a key fishing zone, attracting Nigerian fishermen who pay a tax to the group to access its abundant waters.
A local fishermen’s union leader confirmed that 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and presumed drowned after the bombings. His account is based on testimonies from survivors who escaped the area.
Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga, Nigeria, shared his account: “Many people were killed, most of them from Doron Baga on the Nigerian shores of the lake and Taraba State. It’s no secret that Nigerian fishermen pay Boko Haram to access these remote islands teeming with fish.”
Controversial military operations raise concerns
The Chadian army has yet to issue a statement regarding the civilian casualties. This isn’t the first time the military has faced accusations of accidentally targeting fishermen while pursuing jihadists.
In October 2024, the army was criticized for a retaliatory strike on Tilma Island, which killed dozens of civilians despite targeting Boko Haram militants responsible for the deaths of 40 Chadian soldiers. The military denied accusations of harming innocent civilians.
The jihadist insurgency, led by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people in Nigeria’s northeast since 2009. The conflict has since spread to neighboring regions, including parts of Niger, Cameroon, and Chad.
Lake Chad, a vast body of water and wetlands spanning four countries, has become a hotspot for militant activity. In 2015, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger revived a regional joint force to combat these groups. However, Niger withdrew from the coalition in 2025.
