Military offensives against Boko Haram bases

Since Friday, Chadian fighter jets have been targeting islands across Lake Chad, situated near the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad. According to a member of a local anti-jihadist defense group, these strikes were launched following a recent assault by Boko Haram on the Chadian army. The military intervention specifically focused on Shuwa island, recognized as a major insurgent hub and a primary fishing location for Nigerian workers.

Fishermen trapped in the crossfire

A representative from the Lake Chad fishermen’s union stated that approximately 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and likely perished during the aerial bombardments. “A high number of people were killed,” reported Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga in northeastern Nigeria. He noted that the majority of those affected were from Doron Baga and Taraba State. Witnesses mentioned that the fishermen had been granted access to these fertile waters only after paying a mandatory tax to Boko Haram militants.

A region plagued by ongoing instability

For more than fifteen years, the Lake Chad basin, shared by Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has served as a sanctuary for extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). To address this persistent threat, neighboring nations reactivated a joint multinational force in 2015. However, regional cooperation has weakened recently, particularly after Niger withdrew from the partnership in 2025. The Chadian military has not yet provided an official response regarding the reported civilian casualties.