Chad declares 20-day emergency in Lake Province after Boko Haram kills 23 soldiers
Synopsis
Chad has declared a 20-day state of emergency in Lake Province after Boko Haram militants killed 23 soldiers in a night raid on the Barka Tolorom island base — one of the deadliest attacks on Chadian forces in years, underscoring the persistent threat in the Lake Chad Basin.
Key Takeaways
Chad declared a 20-day state of emergency in Lake Province effective 7 May to 27 May 2025 .
23 Chadian soldiers were killed and 26 others wounded in a Boko Haram assault on the Barka Tolorom island base on Monday night .
A second attack was reported by local media on Wednesday , with no official casualty count released.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno visited injured soldiers in hospital and expressed the nation's condolences.
Lake Province borders Nigeria , Niger , and Cameroon — a region regularly targeted by Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) .
Chad has declared a 20-day state of emergency in its Lake Province following a deadly Boko Haram militant assault that killed 23 Chadian soldiers and wounded 26 others at the Barka Tolorom island military base. The emergency measure, announced by the country's army on Thursday, 8 May, runs from midnight on 7 May to midnight on 27 May 2025.
The Attack on Barka Tolorom Base
According to the Chadian army, Boko Haram militants launched the assault on the Barka Tolorom island military base in Lake Chad Province at approximately 10 pm local time on Monday. The attack left 23 soldiers dead and 26 injured, making it one of the deadliest single strikes on Chadian forces in recent memory. A second attack was subsequently reported by local media on Wednesday, though no official casualty figures have been released for that incident.
What the State of Emergency Entails
The army's official statement urged all officials and security forces to take
Point of View
More than a decade after Boko Haram first emerged. Chad has repeatedly borne a disproportionate share of the regional security burden, yet the international response has been inconsistent. The speed of the emergency declaration signals Ndjamena's alarm — but emergency powers alone have not historically suppressed militant activity in the basin. The real question is whether this triggers renewed multilateral coordination through the Multinational Joint Task Force, or remains a unilateral containment measure with limited reach.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Chad declared a state of emergency in Lake Province?
Chad declared a 20-day state of emergency in Lake Province following a Boko Haram militant attack that killed 23 Chadian soldiers and wounded 26 others at the Barka Tolorom island military base. The measure runs from midnight on 7 May to midnight on 27 May 2025.
How many soldiers were killed in the Boko Haram attack in Chad?
23 Chadian soldiers were killed and 26 others were injured when Boko Haram militants attacked the Barka Tolorom island military base in Lake Chad Province at around 10 pm local time on Monday.
What does the state of emergency allow authorities to do?
The emergency decree directs officials and security forces to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of people and property in Lake Province. Violations of measures imposed under the decree are punishable under applicable laws, and all measures cease upon the emergency's termination on 27 May 2025.
Who is Boko Haram and why is Lake Chad Province targeted?
Boko Haram is a jihadist militant group that has been active in the Lake Chad Basin for over a decade, inflicting heavy casualties across Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. Lake Province borders all three neighbouring countries, making it a frequent flashpoint for attacks by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
What did Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno say after the attack?
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno visited injured soldiers in hospital and posted a message on his social media platforms expressing the nation's deepest condolences and wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
