Chadian Air Strikes on Lake Chad Leave Dozens of Nigerian Fishermen Feared Dead

Dozens of Nigerian fishermen are feared dead after Chadian military fighter jets carried out air strikes on suspected Boko Haram enclaves in the Lake Chad region, according to multiple local sources.

The strikes reportedly targeted two islands believed to be under the control of Boko Haram insurgents, with at least 40 Nigerian fishermen said to be missing and feared drowned in the aftermath of the bombardment.

According to reports by AFP, a civilian militia member and an official of a Lake Chad fishermen’s union said the Chadian military had intensified aerial operations on islands located on the Nigerian side of the lake following recent attacks on Chadian troops by Boko Haram fighters.

A militia source disclosed that the bombardment, which reportedly began on Friday, caused “huge casualties” among local fishermen operating in the area.

“The bombing was concentrated on the jihadist stronghold of Shuwa Island, where Nigeria, Niger and Chad meet on the lake,” the source reportedly said.

Another fisherman from Baga in northeastern Nigeria said many people were killed during the strikes.

Most of the victims were believed to be fishermen from Doron Baga, a major fishing settlement on the Nigerian shore of Lake Chad, while others were reportedly from Taraba State.

Sources familiar with activities around the lake said many fishermen operating in remote fishing areas were often compelled to pay levies to Boko Haram fighters in exchange for access to rich fishing zones controlled by the insurgents.

“It is not a secret that Nigerian fishermen pay tax to Boko Haram to have access to the remote island with a huge fish reservoir,” one source was quoted as saying.

“Boko Haram ferry them on their boats to those islands and bring them back with their catch,” the source added.

As of press time, the Chadian military had yet to issue an official statement regarding the air strikes or the reported civilian casualties.

The latest incident comes days after Boko Haram insurgents launched two deadly attacks on Chadian military positions near Lake Chad, reportedly killing at least 24 soldiers, including two senior generals.

The development also revives memories of a similar incident in October 2024 when Chad’s military was accused of killing dozens of Nigerian fishermen during air strikes targeting insurgents on Tilma Island in the Lake Chad region.