Nigeria Declares National Mourning After Deadly Boko Haram Attack

Chad Declares National Mourning After General Killings

The government of Chad has announced three days of national mourning following a Boko Haram ambush that left two generals dead on Wednesday. The attack occurred in the Lake Chad Basin, an area that has seen increased activity from the Nigeria-based group’s JAS faction in recent months.

On Tuesday, May 4, Boko Haram launched an assault on the Barka Tolorom military base near Lake Chad, resulting in at least 24 soldier fatalities. The army reported a significant number of attackers were killed during the incident. Two days later, another attack occurred on Wednesday, May 6, claiming the lives of two generals.

The government has declared from May 6 at midnight to Saturday, May 9 at midnight as a period of national mourning in memory of those who died during the attacks. The Lake Chad region, shared among Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has experienced a surge in Boko Haram activity, including kidnappings and assaults on security forces.

In October 2024, an attack on a military base in the Lake Chad Basin by Boko Haram left about 40 Chadian soldiers dead. In response, President Mahamat Deby launched a counteroffensive aimed at destroying Boko Haram’s capacity to cause harm. The operation ended in February 2025, with the army claiming that Boko Haram had no more sanctuary on Chadian territory.

Chad has faced years of instability, marked by rebellions, armed groups, and coups, as well as prolonged economic activity making it one of the poorest nations in Africa.

Source: Al Jazeera