Following devastating nighttime raids by jihadist factions against the Barka Tolorom military base in Chad—resulting in 25 fatalities, including two generals, and 46 injuries on May 4—Chad’s air force launched retaliatory strikes. “Chadian fighter jets targeted islands in Lake Chad controlled by Boko Haram, situated near the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad,” reported Africa Radio.
The pan-African outlet noted that the airstrikes were concentrated on Shuwa Island, described as a jihadist stronghold and a major fishing hub frequented by Nigerian fishermen.
Local reports indicate significant collateral damage: “A representative from the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Union confirmed that at least 40 Nigerian fishermen are missing and presumed drowned in the aftermath of the bombings.” Most victims hailed from Doron Baga, a Nigerian lakeside town already scarred by history—it was the site of a 2015 massacre that claimed 2,000 lives.
While Nigerian media has yet to address these claims—despite its own military facing repeated allegations of unintentionally striking civilians—the most recent incident occurred weeks prior when aviation operations allegedly resulted in civilian casualties.