Tchad bombs lake Chad islands targeting jihadists impact nigerian fishermen

The Chadian military has launched a series of aerial strikes over the past few days targeting islands on Lake Chad, situated in Nigerien territory, which are reportedly being used as strongholds by Boko Haram militants. These operations were initiated following a recent attack by the armed group on Chadian military positions.

Local witnesses, including members of an anti-jihadist self-defense group, have reported that dozens of Nigerian fishermen are feared dead after the airstrikes. The vast Lake Chad basin, spanning Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has been a hotbed for militant activity since 2009, serving as a refuge for both Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).

«Casualty numbers remain unclear as the operation is still ongoing,» stated an anonymous member of an anti-jihadist self-defense group. According to the source, Chadian fighter jets have been bombing islands in Lake Chad—belonging to Niger and under Boko Haram control—near the Chadian border since Friday. This follows a recent Boko Haram assault on Chadian military outposts.

The strikes reportedly resulted in heavy losses among Nigerian fishermen operating in the area with Boko Haram’s permission, after paying a tax to the group. «The bombings targeted the remote island of Shuwa, where the lake borders Nigeria, Niger, and Chad. Shuwa is a known Boko Haram stronghold and a major fishing hub attracting Nigerian fishermen,» the witness explained.

Reports indicate that 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and presumed drowned following the airstrikes. A representative from the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Union confirmed the disappearance of the fishermen, stating that many others were killed. Most victims were from Doron Baga, a Nigerian lakeside town, and Taraba State. «It’s common knowledge that Nigerian fishermen pay taxes to Boko Haram to access these isolated, fish-rich islands,» said Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga.

The Chadian military has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. This is not the first time the Chadian armed forces have faced criticism for accidentally striking Nigerian fishermen while targeting Boko Haram militants. In October 2024, Chadian airstrikes in retaliation for an attack that killed 40 soldiers mistakenly hit fishermen on Tilma Island, though the military denied targeting civilians.

The jihadist insurgency, which has ravaged Nigeria’s northeast, has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people, according to the UN. The conflict has since spread across neighboring regions in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. In 2015, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger reactivated a regional multinational force—originally established in 1994—to combat insurgent groups around Lake Chad. However, Niger withdrew from the alliance in 2025 due to strained relations among member states, further complicating counter-insurgency efforts.