On Sunday, October 27, members of the Boko Haram terrorist organization launched a brutal assault on the Chadian army, resulting in the deaths of approximately 40 individuals near the Nigerian border. The Chadian presidency confirmed this tragic incident in a statement, indicating that the attack occurred near Ngouboua in the western part of the country, “tragically leaving about 40 people dead.”
In response, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno visited the site on Monday, where a garrison housing over 200 soldiers is located, and initiated an operation aimed at pursuing the attackers and locating their farthest hideouts, as stated in the announcement.
The assault reportedly took place at 10 PM local time, during which Boko Haram militants seized control of the garrison, confiscated weapons, set ablaze vehicles equipped with heavy artillery, and subsequently retreated. According to AFP, the unit commander of the garrison was among those killed, as confirmed by a high-ranking officer who requested anonymity. Additionally, military sources reported that around 20 individuals sustained injuries during the attack.
A local source, who chose to remain unnamed, stated, “Boko Haram members took control of the garrison, seized the weapons, burnt vehicles equipped with heavy arms, and left.” Military sources indicated that the surprise attack targeted a Chadian army position near the Nigerian border late on Sunday evening.
General Saleh Haggar Tidjani, the regional governor, assured AFP, “We have many casualties, yes, but the situation is under control and our forces are on the ground pursuing the enemy.” Furthermore, the Lake Chad region, characterized by its vast waters and swamps, contains numerous islets that serve as hideouts for jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), which frequently launch attacks against the nation’s military and civilian population.
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