Tchad strikes on lake Chad claim dozens of nigerian fishermen
Tchad strikes on lake Chad claim dozens of nigerian fishermen
Since Friday, the Chadian military has conducted airstrikes on several islets in Lake Chad, located in Niger and reportedly used as Boko Haram strongholds. These operations follow a recent attack by the armed group on Chadian military positions.
The strikes have raised concerns about civilian casualties, particularly among Nigerian fishermen operating in the area with Boko Haram’s permission. Witnesses, including members of an anti-jihadist self-defense group, reported heavy losses among fishermen who had paid a “tax” to access the region’s rich fishing grounds.
Fishing communities devastated by aerial attacks
The Lake Chad basin, spanning Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has been a hotspot for Boko Haram and ISWAP activity since 2009. The vast wetlands and waterways provide both shelter and resources to the insurgents, complicating military operations.
A local anti-jihadist leader, speaking anonymously, revealed that Chadian fighter jets have been bombing islands near the Chadian border—specifically targeting Shuwa island, a known Boko Haram stronghold. Shuwa is a major fishing hub frequented by Nigerian fishermen who pay insurgents for access.
According to a spokesperson for the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Union, at least 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and presumed drowned following the airstrikes. Many survivors hail from Doron Baga and Taraba State, both in northern Nigeria. “It’s no secret that fishermen pay a fee to Boko Haram to fish in these areas,” said Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga.
The Chadian military has yet to release an official statement regarding civilian casualties.
History of mistaken strikes on civilians
This is not the first time the Chadian military has faced accusations of harming Nigerian fishermen during anti-insurgency raids. In October 2024, a retaliatory strike on Tilma island—meant to target Boko Haram—resulted in the deaths of dozens of fishermen, according to witnesses. The military denied targeting civilians, though reports suggested the attack missed its intended mark.
The ongoing insurgency, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people in Nigeria alone, has spread across borders, affecting Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. In 2015, the four nations revived the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), created in 1994, to combat jihadist groups around Lake Chad. However, Niger withdrew from the coalition in 2025 due to strained regional relations, further complicating the fight against terrorism.
