A deadly night assault by Boko Haram fighters has left at least 23 Chadian soldiers dead and 26 others wounded, after insurgents overran a military position on the troubled Lake Chad.
The attack, which unfolded late Monday on Barka Tolorom island, saw heavily armed militants launch a surprise offensive on the remote base, triggering a fierce gun battle that lasted hours. Military sources say Chadian troops fought back with determination, eventually repelling the attackers, though at a heavy cost.
In the aftermath, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno condemned the assault as a “cowardly” act, mourning the fallen soldiers and pledging a renewed offensive against insurgent groups destabilising the region.
“Our forces will respond with strength and resolve,” the president declared, assuring citizens that Chad remains committed to crushing extremist threats in the volatile basin.
The Lake Chad Basin—spanning Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad—has long served as a stronghold for Boko Haram and its splinter factions, with cross-border raids continuing to test regional security forces.
Security analysts warn that the latest bloodshed underscores growing pressure on Chadian troops, recalling a similar massacre in October 2024 that claimed about 40 soldiers in the same theatre.
As military operations intensify to secure the waterways and surrounding communities, fears remain high that insurgents may regroup and strike again, keeping the Lake Chad front firmly on edge.
About The Author
