The Chadian air force launched a swift counter-offensive following recent “devastating night assaults” by jihadist factions on the Barka Tolorom military base. These attacks, occurring on May 4th, resulted in a significant loss of life, with 25 fatalities, including two generals, and 46 injuries. Reports indicate that “Chadian fighter jets are targeting islands within Lake Chad that are under Boko Haram control, situated near the borders shared by Nigeria, Niger, and Chad.” These aerial bombardments specifically reportedly struck Shuwa Island, identified as both a jihadist stronghold and a crucial fishing hub frequented by Nigerian fishermen.
These military operations have led to grave consequences: “A representative from the Lake Chad fishermen’s union asserts that at least 40 Nigerian fishermen are currently missing and are presumed to have drowned during the bombings.” The majority of these presumed victims originate from Doron Baga, a town located on the Nigerian side of the lake. This same community tragically endured a mass killing in 2015, which claimed an estimated 2,000 lives.
As of now, the Nigerian media has refrained from commenting on these allegations from its neighbor, despite its own national army frequently facing accusations of inadvertently bombing civilians. A recent incident just weeks prior saw accusations against the Nigerian military
