LAKE CHAD, Chad – An overnight attack by Boko Haram militants in western Chad near the Nigerian border has left around 40 Chadian soldiers dead, according to government sources.
The surprise assault, which targeted a garrison housing more than 200 troops in the Lake Chad region, has led to an extensive army operation aimed at hunting down the attackers.
The assault struck near Ngouboua, with the presidency confirming the “tragic loss of approximately 40 soldiers.”
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who visited the scene early Monday, October 28, 2024, ordered a full-scale operation “to pursue the attackers and track them to their furthest hideouts.”
Military sources confirmed that the garrison’s unit commander was among the casualties, with around 20 soldiers reported wounded.
According to an anonymous military officer, the assailants managed to seize weapons and equipment before retreating.
A local source, who wished to remain unnamed, added that the militants also burned vehicles and heavy arms before departing.
In a statement, regional governor General Saleh Haggar Tidjani acknowledged the heavy losses but confirmed that “the situation is under control and our forces are on the ground pursuing the enemy.”
Jihadist Stronghold and Frequent Attacks
The Lake Chad region, with its vast water and swampy islands, has long been a haven for jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP).
Both groups frequently target the army and civilians in the region.
Since launching its insurgency in Nigeria in 2009, Boko Haram has expanded its operations across borders, claiming over 40,000 lives and displacing millions.
This recent attack follows Chad’s 2020 Bohoma tragedy, which saw approximately 100 soldiers killed in a Boko Haram raid on the Bohoma peninsula, marking the country’s largest single-day military loss to date.
That incident spurred an anti-jihadist campaign led by the current president’s father, Idriss Deby Itno, who was then head of state.
In a statement, the Chadian government reaffirmed the president’s “unwavering commitment to defend and secure the entire country,” adding assurances to the local population and military personnel.
Displacement and Regional Tensions
The International Organization for Migration reports that more than 220,000 people have been displaced in Lake Chad province alone due to ongoing militant attacks.
Regional tensions have also grown with reports of Chad’s alleged involvement in the Sudanese conflict.
Though both Chad and the UAE deny the accusations, sources suggest that recent leadership changes in Chad’s armed forces are linked to internal disagreements over foreign policy, particularly concerning Sudan.
Chad’s reshuffled military leadership, combined with an increasingly volatile security situation, underscores the country’s challenges in safeguarding its borders against growing jihadist threats.
