Dozens of Nigerian fishermen are feared dead following Chadian military airstrikes targeting Boko Haram positions in the Lake Chad region, according to a local fishermen’s association leader.
The chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Fisheries Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Gamandi Usman, said several members of the union are currently missing, with an estimated death toll exceeding 40. He added that while no bodies have yet been recovered, it is believed that some fishermen were directly caught in the airstrikes, while others may have drowned while attempting to escape in overcrowded boats.
Authorities in both Nigeria and Chad have not issued an official statement on the incident. However, the Chadian presidency confirmed on Sunday that its military conducted “intensive airstrikes” on Boko Haram hideouts in response to recent attacks on its forces.
According to the statement shared on Facebook, Boko Haram had launched “unjustified attacks” on Chadian military bases near the Lake Chad area on Monday and Wednesday, reportedly killing at least 24 soldiers, including two generals.
The Lake Chad Basin, a vast expanse of waterways and swampland shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, has long served as a stronghold for Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Usman explained that after Boko Haram fighters attacked Chadian troops, they retreated to island hideouts in the lake where many fishermen also operate. He noted that when Chadian aircraft began surveillance operations on Friday, panic spread across the area as both militants and civilians attempted to flee.
He further said rescue efforts have been slow due to the difficult terrain, as parts of the lake are very deep and access to canoes is limited, with many boats allegedly controlled by Boko Haram. He also claimed that the group imposes taxes on fishermen and controls their movement to and from fishing sites.
In recent months, the region has experienced a surge in attacks on security forces, as well as increased kidnappings and raids on nearby communities.
Chadian forces have previously faced accusations of causing civilian casualties during operations. In October 2024, airstrikes reportedly killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen on Tilma Island during an operation targeting Boko Haram fighters, though the military denied wrongdoing.
Similarly, Nigeria’s armed forces have also faced allegations of civilian casualties during counter-insurgency operations, which authorities often describe as unintended collateral damage.
Most recently, the Nigerian military dismissed reports claiming civilians were killed in airstrikes in Niger State, insisting the operations were based on “credible, actionable intelligence.”
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