Chad’s military has come under fire for a tragic airstrike that reportedly killed numerous fishermen in Nigeria, days after a deadly Boko Haram assault on a military base left 40 dead.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when Chadian fighter jets targeted Tilma island, situated in the Kukawa district of Nigeria, where fishermen were working.
According to anti-jihadist militia members, several fishermen lost their lives during the bombardment, which they believe was a case of mistaken identity. Babakura Kolo, a militia leader, stated, “The jet mistook the fishermen for Boko Haram terrorists,” referring to a Sunday attack that had prompted heightened military action.
A Chadian general staff officer confirmed the strikes targeted islands along the borders of Nigeria and Niger, citing difficulties in distinguishing between Boko Haram members and local populations as they often blend in with civilians during attacks.
READ ALSO : Boko Haram kills 40 Chadian soldiers during raid
Fishermen from Baga, Doron-Baga, and Duguri were particularly affected, with many bodies reported to be scattered across the island. Survivor Sallau Arzika described the chaotic scene, stating: “The fighter jet encircled Tilma before beginning to drop bombs while people ran for cover.”
In response to the ongoing threat from Boko Haram, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby has committed to a counter-terrorism operation called Operation Haskanite, aimed at rooting out jihadist elements in the region. The operation, directed by the president himself, seeks to secure the safety of local populations and eliminate Boko Haram’s operational capabilities.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah has called for increased international support for Chad’s counter-terrorism efforts as the Lake Chad region remains a hotspot for militant activity, with Boko Haram’s insurgency since 2009 resulting in over 40,000 deaths and the displacement of millions.
Credible News recalls that on Monday, an attack by Boko Haram killed around 40 Chadian troops overnight near the Nigerian border, prompting an army operation to hunt down the militants, the government and local sources said on Monday.
Members of Boko Haram targeted a garrison housing more than 200 Chadian soldiers late Sunday in the Lake Chad region, an area plagued by various armed groups, local sources told AFP.
The presidency said in a statement that the attack struck near Ngouboua in the west of the country, “tragically leaving about 40 people dead”.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno visited the scene on Monday and launched an operation “to go after the attackers and track them down in their furthest hideouts”, the statement added.
The garrison’s unit commander was among the dead, a high-ranking officer said on condition of anonymity.
The assailants “had time to seize ammunition and equipment before they retreated”, the officer added.
Around 20 people were also wounded, military sources said.
“Boko Haram members took control of the garrison, seized the weapons, burnt vehicles equipped with heavy arms, and left,” said one local source, who asked not to be named. The surprise attack struck a Chadian army position near the Nigerian border late on Sunday evening, military sources said. ”We have many casualties, yes, but the situation is under control and our forces are on the ground pursuing the enemy,” the regional governor, General Saleh Haggar Tidjani, told AFP.
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