The Chadian air force launched a swift retaliation following the “devastating nocturnal assaults” carried out by jihadist factions against the Barka Tolorom military base. These attacks, which occurred on May 4th, resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, including two generals, and left 46 wounded. In response, Chadian fighter jets reportedly targeted islands within Lake Chad that are under the control of Boko Haram. These strategic locations are situated near the intersecting borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad. Specifically, reports indicate that the air raids focused on Shuwa island, which is characterized as both a significant jihadist stronghold and a bustling fishing hub frequented by Nigerian fishermen.
The repercussions of these aerial bombardments have been severe. A senior representative from the Lake Chad fishermen’s union has stated that at least 40 Nigerian fishermen are unaccounted for and are presumed to have drowned during the offensive. The majority of these presumed victims originated from Doron Baga, a town located on the Nigerian shores of the lake. This particular locality tragically witnessed a mass slaughter in 2015, which claimed approximately 2,000 lives.
As of now, the Nigerian media has largely refrained from commenting on these allegations originating from its neighboring country. This silence comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Nigeria’s own national army, which has frequently faced accusations of inadvertently striking civilians. A recent incident just weeks prior saw Nigerian military aircraft allegedly kill dozens of non-combatants by mistake, an accusation that the army subsequently denied.
