Chad: Boko Haram militants kill six in Lake Chad region September 28-29

Event

Boko Haram militants killed six people - including two Chadian soldiers, three forestry officials, and a customs officer - in Moussarom and Ngueleya, near Lake Chad, overnight (local time) from Friday, September 28, to Saturday, September 29. Chadian forces later knocked the militants back, killing at least 17 Boko Haram fighters. Similar Boko Haram attacks and Chadian counterterrorism operations are possible in the Lake Chad region in the near-term.

Context

Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks in Chad since 2015, especially in the capital N'Djamena and areas around Lake Chad. Islands on the lake often provide refuge to Boko Haram militants. The Lake Chad area represents the convergence point of the four countries most afflicted by the West African Islamist insurgency: Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria.

Advice

Due to the terrorism threat, individuals in the country are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities and to remain vigilant at all times, especially when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). For these and other security reasons, many Western governments advise against all travel to areas near the borders with Niger, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria, and the Lake Chad region, as well as nonessential travel to the rest of the country, including N'Djamena.