Dozens of Fishermen Feared Dead After Chad Airstrikes

Dozens of Nigerian fishermen are feared dead after airstrikes conducted by the Chadian military targeted Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. Abubakar Gamandi Usman, chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Fisheries Association, reported that approximately 40 fishermen are unaccounted for, with many likely killed in the strikes or drowned while trying to escape in overloaded boats.

The Chadian military's air force began operations on a Friday, causing panic among fishermen as Boko Haram fighters were reportedly retreating to islands where fishermen reside. Usman indicated that Boko Haram has been controlling access to fishing grounds and taxing fishermen, exacerbating the situation.

The airstrikes were a response to a recent attack by Boko Haram that resulted in the deaths of at least 24 Chadian soldiers. The region has seen an increase in violence, with Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), posing significant threats to local communities.