Military operations by Chad against jihadist factions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of dozens of Nigerian fishermen over the past three days. The strikes targeted Boko Haram-controlled islands in the Lake Chad region, near Chad’s border, following a deadly attack on the Chadian army.

Witnesses, including members of local anti-jihadist defense groups, shared accounts of the unfolding tragedy. “Casualty numbers remain unclear as the operation is still ongoing,” stated one source who requested anonymity.

Unconfirmed fatalities amid ongoing military strikes

According to reports, Chadian fighter jets have been conducting airstrikes since Friday on Lake Chad islands under Boko Haram control. This response comes after a May 4 assault on a Chadian military base, which left at least 24 soldiers dead and several others injured.

The bombing campaign has allegedly caused significant casualties among Nigerian fishermen operating in the area with Boko Haram’s permission. These fishermen reportedly pay taxes to the group to access the region’s abundant fishing waters. The strikes specifically targeted Shuwa Island, a strategic location where the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad converge. Shuwa is a known stronghold of Boko Haram and a vital fishing hub that draws fishermen from across Nigeria.

Over 40 fishermen reported missing

Local fishing union representatives revealed that 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and are presumed dead after drowning in the aftermath of the airstrikes. Their claims are based on testimonies from survivors who managed to escape the violence.

“Many people were killed. Most of the victims came from Doron Baga, a Nigerian lakeside town, as well as Taraba State,” shared Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga. He added, “It’s common knowledge that Nigerian fishermen pay taxes to Boko Haram to access these remote islands teeming with fish.”

Chad’s military faces repeated civilian targeting allegations

The Chadian army has yet to issue a statement regarding the fishermen’s deaths. This isn’t the first time the military has been accused of striking civilians while targeting Boko Haram militants. In October 2024, the army faced criticism for a retaliatory strike on Tilma Island that killed dozens of civilians. The operation aimed to avenge the deaths of 40 Chadian soldiers at the hands of jihadists but allegedly resulted in unintended civilian casualties. The Chadian military denied targeting innocents.

The jihadist insurgency, led by Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than two million people in Nigeria’s northeast. The conflict has since spread to bordering regions in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. Lake Chad, a vast expanse of water and wetlands shared by these four nations, has become a major jihadist battleground since 2009.

In 2015, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger reactivated a multinational joint task force, initially established in 1994, to combat these extremist groups. However, Niger withdrew from the coalition in 2025, shifting regional security dynamics.