Chad has imposed a 20-day state of emergency in Lake Province after deadly Boko Haram attacks killed 23 soldiers and injured 26 others. Authorities intensified security operations in the volatile Lake Chad region amid rising militant violence and growing regional instability.
Authorities in Chad have declared a 20-day state of emergency in the country’s Lake Province after a deadly Boko Haram attack on military personnel left dozens of soldiers dead and injured. The emergency measure comes amid escalating militant violence in the Lake Chad region, which has remained one of the most volatile security zones in Central and West Africa for more than a decade.
According to an official statement released late Thursday by the Chadian army, the state of emergency took effect from midnight on May 7 and will remain in force until midnight on May 27. Security agencies and local officials have been instructed to enforce strict measures aimed at protecting civilians, restoring order, and preventing further militant attacks across the region.
The government said all necessary actions would be taken to ensure the safety of residents and their property during the emergency period. Authorities also warned that any violations of restrictions or measures implemented under the emergency decree would be punished according to national laws.
The move follows a deadly assault carried out by Boko Haram militants on Monday night at the Barka Tolorom island military base located in Lake Province. Military officials confirmed that 23 Chadian soldiers were killed during the attack, while another 26 personnel sustained injuries.
Chadian army spokesman Issakha Acheikh Chanane stated that the militants launched the assault at approximately 10 p.m. local time. The attackers reportedly targeted the island base with heavy force, leading to intense clashes with security personnel stationed in the area.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and wished injured troops a speedy recovery. In a message shared on social media after visiting wounded soldiers in hospital, the president praised the sacrifices made by the armed forces while reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating terrorism.
Another suspected militant attack was reported by local media on Wednesday in the same region, although authorities have not officially disclosed casualty figures related to that incident. The reports have raised fears of continued militant operations despite ongoing military campaigns against extremist groups operating around Lake Chad.
Lake Province, situated in western Chad near the borders of Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, has frequently witnessed attacks linked to Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The porous borders and remote island terrain around Lake Chad have long provided armed groups with opportunities to launch cross-border attacks and evade security forces.
Boko Haram has remained active in the Lake Chad Basin for more than ten years, causing widespread destruction, displacement, and humanitarian crises across several countries in the region. Thousands of civilians and military personnel have lost their lives since the insurgency began, while millions have been displaced due to violence and insecurity.
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Regional governments have repeatedly launched joint military operations to weaken extremist networks operating around Lake Chad. However, recurring attacks continue to expose persistent security challenges and the difficulties faced by regional forces in fully eliminating militant threats.
The latest emergency declaration highlights Chad’s growing concern over the deteriorating security environment and signals a renewed effort by authorities to restore stability in one of Africa’s most conflict-affected regions.
