Aerial assaults against Boko Haram strongholds

Since Friday, Chadian fighter jets have been bombing islands on Lake Chad under Boko Haram control, situated near the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad. A member of an anti-jihadist vigilante group revealed that these operations were launched in response to a recent Boko Haram attack on Chadian military forces. 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 representative from the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Union reported at least 40 Nigerian fishermen missing, likely drowned during the bombings. « Many lives have been lost, » stated 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 only after paying a tax enforced by Boko Haram.

Lake Chad: a crisis of insecurity

Lake Chad, shared by Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has been a hotspot for jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP for over 15 years. In 2015, neighboring countries revived a multinational task force to combat the threat. However, regional cooperation has weakened in recent years, particularly after Niger’s withdrawal from the alliance in 2025. The Chadian army has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.