Skip to main content
10 Oct 2018 | 03:18 PM UTC

Chad: Boko Haram militants kill eight soldiers in Lake Chad region Oct. 10

At least eight soldiers killed by Boko Haram fighters in Lake Chad region on October 10; further attacks possible in the near-term

Warning

Event

On the morning (local time) of Wednesday, October 10, Boko Haram fighters attacked a military post in Kaiga Kindji (Lake Chad region). According to a Chadian military spokesperson, eight soldiers were killed and 11 more were wounded in the attack. Chadian forces reportedly repelled the assault, killing at least 48 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.