Boko Haram Attack Kills 23 Chadian Soldiers in Lake Chad Region

At least 23 Chadian soldiers have been killed following a deadly attack by Islamist militant group Boko Haram on a military base in the volatile Lake Chad region, according to the country’s armed forces.

The attack, which occurred late Monday night on Barka Tolorom island, also left at least 26 soldiers injured, military officials confirmed in a statement.

Chad’s army said its forces engaged the attackers in a fierce firefight and eventually repelled the assault, adding that a “significant number” of militants were killed during the operation.

President Mahamat Idriss Déby condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly act” and reaffirming the country’s commitment to combating insurgent groups in the region.

The Lake Chad basin; a region shared by Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, has long been a hotspot for extremist violence, with Boko Haram and its splinter factions frequently launching cross-border attacks on military positions and civilian communities.

Security analysts say the latest incident highlights the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, despite ongoing military operations by regional forces aimed at curbing their influence.

While casualty figures vary slightly across reports, most official accounts confirm that more than 20 soldiers were killed, making it one of the deadliest recent attacks on Chadian forces.

Authorities say clearance operations are ongoing, as troops continue to pursue fleeing militants and secure the area against further attacks.