Fishing tragedies on lake Chad after chadian air strikes

heavy air strikes by the Chadian military have left dozens of Nigerian fishermen missing over the past three days, following operations targeting Boko Haram strongholds on islands in the Lake Chad basin. the strikes, launched in retaliation for a recent attack on Chadian military positions, have raised concerns about civilian casualties in a region already devastated by years of insurgency.

escalating violence on lake Chad

Lake Chad, a sprawling wetland spanning Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has been a hotspot for jihadist activity since 2009. both Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) have exploited the region’s remote islands to launch attacks and extort local fishermen. witnesses report that Chadian fighter jets have been bombing islands in Nigerien territory near the Chadian border, particularly targeting the island of Shuwa, a known Boko Haram stronghold and fishing hub.

tragic consequences for fishermen

local sources, including a member of an anti-jihadist self-defense group, confirm that many fishermen operating in the area had paid taxes to Boko Haram for access to these fish-rich islands. «it’s hard to estimate the death toll because the operation is still ongoing», said the source, who requested anonymity. «the strikes have caused heavy losses among fishermen, who were unaware of the risks when they set out to work».

a union leader for Lake Chad fishermen reported that at least 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and presumed drowned after the bombings. survivors from the Nigerian towns of Doron Baga and Taraba state recounted harrowing escapes, with many fishermen originating from Baga town. «it’s common knowledge that fishermen pay Boko Haram for access to these islands», said Adamu Haladu, a fisherman from Baga. «the group controls the best fishing spots, and without their ‘permission,’ we can’t work there».

history of accidental civilian casualties

this isn’t the first time Chadian military operations have resulted in civilian deaths. in october 2024, Chadian airstrikes targeting Boko Haram on Tilma island reportedly killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen. the strikes were a response to an attack that killed 40 Chadian soldiers, but witnesses claimed the bombs hit civilians instead. the Chadian military denied targeting innocent civilians in that incident.

regional instability fuels insurgency

the jihadist insurgency, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people in Nigeria alone, has spread across borders into Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. in 2015, the four countries reactivated a multinational joint task force to combat the threat, but Niger withdrew in 2025 due to strained relations among member states, further weakening the fight against extremism.

as the violence continues, the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad region deepens, leaving communities caught between insurgent groups and military counteroperations.