Strikes targeting Boko Haram strongholds

Since Friday, Chadian fighter jets have been bombing islands in Lake Chad controlled by Boko Haram, located near the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad. According to a member of an anti-jihadist self-defense group, these operations were launched in response to a recent attack by Boko Haram on the Chadian military. The strikes reportedly targeted Shuwa Island, identified as a major jihadist bastion and a key fishing hub frequented by Nigerian fishermen.

Fishermen caught in the crossfire

A leader from the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Union reports that at least 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and likely drowned during the bombings. “Many people have been killed,” testified Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga in Nigeria’s northeast. He noted that most victims hailed from Doron Baga and Taraba State. Witnesses explained that fishermen had been permitted to access these fish-rich zones after paying a tax imposed by Boko Haram.

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A region plagued by insecurity

Lake Chad, shared by Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has been a haven for jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP for over fifteen years. In 2015, neighboring countries revived a multinational force to counter the threat, but regional cooperation has weakened in recent years, particularly after Niger withdrew from the alliance in 2025. The Chadian military has not yet issued an official response to these claims.