Boko Haram Attack in Lake Chad Kills 23 Chadian Soldiers

Boko Haram Attack in Lake Chad Kills 23 Chadian Soldiers

At least 23 soldiers of the Chadian Armed Forces have been killed and 26 others injured following a deadly Boko Haram attack in Lake Chad, targeting a military base on Barka Tolorom Island in western Chad. The incident occurred late Monday night in one of the most volatile parts of the Lake Chad Basin, a region that borders Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, and has remained a long-standing hotspot for insurgent activity.

According to the Chadian military, suspected Boko Haram fighters launched the assault under the cover of darkness, storming the military position and triggering a fierce gun battle with troops stationed at the base. The exchange of fire reportedly lasted several hours before the attackers were eventually repelled. The army confirmed that the insurgents also suffered “significant losses,” although no official figures were released.

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Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly assault” on the country’s armed forces. He extended condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and praised the troops for their resistance during the confrontation. “We will continue the fight with renewed determination until these terrorist threats are fully neutralised,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to intensifying counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region.

The Chadian army said additional troops have been deployed to Barka Tolorom Island and surrounding waterways as part of ongoing military clearance operations in Lake Chad aimed at preventing further insurgent incursions. Authorities noted that the area remains strategically difficult due to its swampy terrain and network of islands, which militants often use as hideouts.

The Lake Chad Basin insurgency has remained active for years despite multinational military efforts by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which includes forces from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP, continue to carry out coordinated attacks, ambushes, and raids on both military formations and civilian communities across the region.

Security analysts say the latest attack underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Lake Chad, where insurgents exploit difficult terrain and weak border control to sustain operations. The incident also highlights recurring security challenges in the region, which has experienced repeated deadly attacks on military bases in recent years.

Boko Haram Attack in Lake Chad Kills 23 Chadian Soldiers