Chad: BH militants kills six soldiers in Lake Chad January 27

Event

According to Chadian military officials, six soldiers were killed and ten others wounded in a Boko Haram attack near Tetewa Island (Lake Chad) in the late afternoon (local time) on Monday, January 27. According to the Chadian Chief of Staff (General Taher Erda), the security forces were targeted while patrolling the area.

A heightened security presence is expected in the area over the near term. Similar Boko Haram attacks are also possible in Lake Chad over the near term.

Context

Although regional counterinsurgency efforts targeting Boko Haram that began in 2015 - led by West African states Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger - has greatly diminished the group's territorial control since 2015, its members continue to routinely carry out deadly terrorist attacks. Boko Haram's stronghold is in northeastern Nigeria, where the majority of its activities are concentrated.

Advice

Individuals in Chad, especially in the Lake Chad area, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, limit time in areas deemed likely to be targeted in a terrorist attack (e.g. crowded markets, etc.), and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.