Nigerian fishermen are presumed dead after Chadian military airstrikes targeted jihadist positions near Lake Chad, local sources report. The strikes, which began three days ago, have sparked controversy due to their alleged impact on civilian populations.
«It is challenging to determine the exact death toll as the operation is still ongoing,» stated a local militia member involved in counter-jihadist efforts, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to witnesses, Chadian fighter jets have been bombing islands in Lake Chad under Boko Haram control since Friday. This follows an attack on May 4 against Chadian armed forces—claiming at least 24 military casualties and several injuries.
40 missing fishermen feared dead
«The bombardments caused significant losses among Nigerian fishermen operating in the area with Boko Haram’s permission,» explained a local fishing union representative. «They paid taxes to the group to access these waters, which are rich in fish. The strikes specifically targeted Shuwa Island, a strategic fishing hub where the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad converge. This island is a known Boko Haram stronghold.»
«Forty Nigerian fishermen are missing and likely drowned as a result,» the representative added, citing accounts from survivors who escaped the strikes.
«Many people were killed. Most victims came from Doron Baga, a Nigerian lakeside town, and Taraba State,» shared Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga. «It’s no secret that Nigerian fishermen pay Boko Haram for access to these remote, fish-rich islands.»
Recurring civilian casualties in anti-jihadist operations
The Chadian army has yet to comment on the incident. However, this isn’t the first time it has faced accusations of striking civilians while targeting Boko Haram.
In October 2024, the army was criticized for killing dozens of civilians in a retaliatory strike on Tilma Island after Boko Haram fighters killed 40 Chadian soldiers. Witnesses claimed the strikes mistakenly hit fishermen, though the army denied targeting non-combatants.
Boko Haram’s insurgency has left over 40,000 dead and displaced two million people in Nigeria’s northeast, according to the United Nations. The conflict has spread to neighboring regions in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. Lake Chad, a vast water and marshland area shared by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has become a jihadist haven since 2009, hosting both Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
In 2015, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger revived a multinational joint force—originally formed in 1994—to combat these groups. Niger exited the coalition in 2025.
