Dozens of Nigerian fishermen are feared dead after Chad’s military launched air strikes on Boko Haram positions in the Lake Chad region, according to the chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Fisheries Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Gamandi Usman.
What Happened
Usman told the BBC that more than 40 fishermen are missing, with some believed to have been struck directly by the bombs while others drowned as they tried to flee in overloaded boats. No bodies have yet been recovered, and search efforts remain slow due to the depth of the lake and Boko Haram’s control over many canoes.
Chad’s Military Response
On Sunday, Chad’s presidency confirmed it had carried out “intensive air strikes” against Boko Haram strongholds, describing them as retaliation for attacks earlier in the week that killed at least 24 soldiers and two generals. The strikes targeted islands in Lake Chad where both Boko Haram fighters and fishermen live side by side.
Fishermen Caught in the Crossfire
“Boko Haram controls access to the fishing grounds, transporting fishermen to and from the market and collecting taxes,” Usman explained. When Chad’s air force began circling overhead, panic spread, with both militants and fishermen attempting to escape.
Civilian Casualties in Military Operations
This is not the first time fishermen have been killed during military operations in the region.
- In October 2024, Chadian air strikes on Tilma Island reportedly killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen.
- Nigeria’s military has also faced accusations of civilian deaths during operations against armed groups, though it often describes such incidents as unintended collateral damage.
Outlook
The Lake Chad basin — shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon — remains a volatile zone where jihadist factions, kidnappers, and separatist groups operate. As military campaigns intensify, civilians like fishermen continue to bear the brunt of the violence, caught between insurgents and state forces.