Following devastating overnight raids by Boko Haram militants on a military base in Barka Tolorom—which left 25 dead, including two generals, and 46 wounded on May 4—the Chadian Air Force swiftly responded. “Chadian fighter jets targeted islands in Lake Chad under jihadist control, straddling the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad,” reported Africa Radio.
The pan-African outlet highlighted that the strikes particularly focused on Shuwa Island, identified as a stronghold for militants and a thriving fishing hub frequented by Nigerian fishermen. Tragically, the operation appears to have resulted in significant civilian casualties.
Nigerian fishermen among the victims
A representative from the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Union disclosed that at least 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and presumed drowned after the bombings. Most hail from Doron Baga, a Nigerian lakeside town that also suffered a horrific massacre in 2015, where 2,000 people lost their lives.
Silence from Nigerian authorities
Despite these claims, Nigerian media has yet to comment, even as the country’s military faces recurring accusations of inadvertently targeting civilians in airstrikes. A recent incident occurred weeks prior, when civilian casualties were reported in a separate operation.