Chad: Boko Haram suicide bombing kills six in Kaïga Kindjiria (Lake Chad) August 14

Event

A suicide bombing carried out by a Boko Haram militant in the early morning hours (local time) of Wednesday, August 14, has left six people, including a military officer, dead in Kaïga Kindjiria (Lake Chad). The attacker  reportedly entered the offices of the Tatafiromou canton's head before detonating the bomb.

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

Context

Although the regional counterinsurgency effort against Boko Haram that began in 2015 - led by West African states Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger - has greatly diminished the extent of their effective territorial control, the group continues 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 particularly likely to be targeted in a terrorist attack (e.g. crowded markets, etc.), and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.