Lake Chad Basin Weekly Security Update 18-24 December 2023
Hello and welcome to the thirty-fourth edition of the Lake Chad Basin Weekly Security Update.
Belated Merry Christmas wishes to all subscribers. We have recently reached the level of 300 people who are receiving these Updates every week in their inboxes. I am hoping for a lot more in 2024.
Regarding the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) situation, the past week unfolded in line with trends observed since October, marked by a notable number of security incidents in Nigeria and Cameroon, along with ISWAP claiming responsibility for nine attacks. Meanwhile, Nigerian security forces have conducted relatively fewer operations recently, allowing the group considerable freedom of movement. This dynamic is likely to shift in the coming weeks with anticipated offensives in various areas of Borno State. However, at present, militants hold the advantage, even raiding Gubio—headquarters of a Local Government Area—and resulting in the death of a policeman. Notably, ISWAP seemed inactive in southern Borno, offering a positive aspect given the time of year. Yet, the group's strategy remains dynamic. This week, militants destroyed three transmission towers south of Damaturu, a town they hadn't targeted in some time, possibly signaling a resurgence of what the Islamic State terms 'economic war.' Future weeks will reveal if this strategy persists.
In a separate concerning incident (albeit not directly linked to the jihadist insurgency), Tokombere, Cameroon, witnessed several fatalities during protests against the local mayor. While this incident alone will not prompt an influx of recruits for groups like JAS, perceptions of it and its implications in local politics warrant careful scrutiny. Regarding JAS-related incidents in Cameroon, the military demonstrated increased activity this week, resulting in the death of several militants. Nevertheless, JAS raids persist, posing a significant security threat, particularly for civilians in the region. This demands attention in 2024, and whether it receives appropriate focus will be covered in subsequent updates.
NIGERIA
Unknown date
Rann (Kala Balge LGA, Borno State) - The local authorities ordered the killing of an elephant that was destroying crops in the area. The order was issued after pressure from local farmers. Source: Humanity Purpose
16 December
Bukar Meram (Monguno LGA, Borno State) - Nigerian Air Force conducted air strikes in ISWAP camps, killing an unspecified number of militants. Source: Humanity Purpose
17 December
‘College’ (‘كوليج’, location name too vague to identify, said to be in Borno State) - ISWAP raided the house of a CJTF member and claimed (on 19 December) to have killed him.
Near Gwoza (Gwoza LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP clashed with a CJTF patrol, claiming (the next day) to have killed one militiaman and forced others to withdraw.
Maiduguri-Damboa road (Konduga or Damboa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army patrol with an IED, claiming (on 21 December) to have wounded an unspecified number of soldiers.
Rann (Kala Balge LGA, Borno State) - Four women and two children drowned after roaming elephants chased them into the river. They were IDPs taking refuge in the town. Source: Radio Ndarason International
19 December
Near Pulka (Gwoza LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP attacked the CJTF members, claiming (the next day) to have wounded one of them and forced them to withdraw. The group also reported stealing six motorbikes and other unspecified property.
20 December
Near Ba’ale (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - Three charcoal loggers were killed by ISWAP (incorrectly named as JAS in the article). Source: Radio Ndarason International
Pemi (Chibok LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP killed three civilians preparing for Christmas, in addition to looting homes and setting them on fire. Sources: Radio Ndarason International, HumAngle Media
ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack in the weekly newspaper al-Naba, confirming everything that had been reported. The group also posted three pictures from the attack, including one showing a killed civilian.
21 December
Gubio (Gubio LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP attacked a Nigerian Police station in the town, claiming (the next day) to have killed one policeman and forced others to withdraw. In addition, the group reported seizing one SUV and burning another vehicle before withdrawing.
The killing of the policeman and the seizure of a vehicle were confirmed by non-ISWAP sources as well. Sources: Zagazola, HumAngle Media
22 December
Katsaita (Ngelzarma LGA, Yobe State) - ISWAP blew up three transmission towers. This caused a temporary blackout in Damaturu, Yobe State. The electricity was restored on Sunday. Sources: Zagazola, DailyTrust 1, DailyTrust, HumAngle Media
23 December
Near Kirenawa (Marte LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP captured two CJTF members and executed them. The group claimed this on the same day.
Wulgo (Ngala LGA, Borno State) - Two ISWAP militants were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded as a result of clashes between the group and the security forces. Source: Humanity Purpose
CAMEROON
10 December
Madagascar, near Darak (Logone-et-Chari Department) - Four fishermen were abducted but later released after a ransom was paid. Source: Humanity Purpose
11 December
Tumbun Kare, near Darak (Logone-et-Chari Department) - Two fishermen were abducted, and one of them was shot while trying to escape. Source: Humanity Purpose
16 December
Adakele (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) raided the village and stole food, animals, and material goods. Source: Humanity Purpose
Kossa (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighters killed two people and stole oxen in a raid on the village. Source: Humanity Purpose
17 December
Bounderi (Mayo-Sava Department) - ISWAP attacked a Cameroonian Army base, claiming (on 21 December) to have killed two soldiers and injured an unspecified number of others.
According to non-ISWAP sources, the attack was repelled by the military. They reported no losses among the soldiers, but instead, they said that two of the attackers were killed. The troops have also recovered a machine gun and ammunition. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Sembe
18 December
Assighassia (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) members attacked farmers in their fields. They killed a man, injured another one, and abducted a 14-year-old girl. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Sembe
Ganay (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) members raided the village and stole food, animals, clothes, and other material goods. Source: Humanity Purpose
Kalguiwa-Limani area (Mayo-Sava Department) - An explosion of an IED killed a ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) member who was likely trying to plant it. Source: Humanity Purpose
Moundou, in the Double-Limani area (Mayo-Sava Department) - Two Cameroonian soldiers were killed and two others were wounded after they fell into a ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) ambush. The attackers stole two of their motorbikes and the rifles of the killed troops. Sources: Humanity Purpose 1, Humanity Purpose 2
Tokombere (Mayo-Sava Department) - A protest against the town mayor turned violent. At least five people were killed (although there are also reports of up to 16 dead) when the security forces used live ammunition. More than 20 people were wounded. The protesters raided the local brigade, the gendarmerie headquarters, and the residences of the brigade commander and the sub-prefect. Some property was destroyed. Sources: Humanity Purpose 1, Humanity Purpose 2, Humanity Purpose 3, Koaci, RFI Hausa
Waza (Logone-et-Chari Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (ISWAP) raided the village and looted two houses. Nobody was hurt. Source: Humanity Purpose
19 December
Assighassia (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) members shot dead a farmer working in his field. They also stole his motorbike. Source: Humanity Purpose
Kourgui (Mayo-Sava Department) - Around 60 former ‘Boko Haram’ members and associates were arrested by the military and the police. They are accused of working as supply agents, scouts, and informants. Sources: Humanity Purpose 1, Humanity Purpose 2
Meme (Mayo-Sava Department) - Unidentified armed men (possibly ‘Boko Haram’ members) attacked two families in the village. They stole over 1,000,000 FCFA (almost $1,700), gold, clothes, and jewelry. Source: Humanity Purpose
20 December
Assighassia (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) militants abducted a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl. Source: Humanity Purpose
Djibrili (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighters raided the village and abducted a teenage shepherd with his goats and sheep. Source: Humanity Purpose
Gouda (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) raided the village and looted several houses. A woman was injured while a young girl was abducted. The attackers stole motorbikes, food, and material goods. Source: Humanity Purpose
Waza (Logone-et-Chari Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (ISWAP) members raided the IDP site and stole food and material goods. Source: Humanity Purpose
21 December
Gogoleme (Mayo-Sava Department) - The inhabitants of the village fled into the bush after a sighting of ‘Boko Haram’ (ISWAP) fighters going in their direction. Source: Humanity Purpose
Mada (Logone-et-Chari Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (ISWAP) fighters killed five shepherds, slaughtered over 20 animals, and stole over 360 others. Source: Humanity Purpose
22 December
Kolofata (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) militants raided the village and stole a motorbike, a bike, clothes, mats, food, and other items. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Sembe
Rourounde, near Soueram (Logone-et-Chari Department) - Clashes between Shuwa Arab shepherds and Kanuri farmers. They started when a shepherd stabbed a farmer who complained about his field being destroyed by livestock. Soon, other farmers chased away the shepherds. Source: Humanity Purpose
23 December
Igawa-Mora road (Mayo-Sava Department) - The Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) ambushed ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) militants on three motorbikes. The fighters fled, leaving an AK rifle behind. Source: Humanity Purpose
24 December
Kolofata (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) raided one of the neighborhoods and stole a motorbike and food. After the pursuit launched by the security forces, the attackers left the motorbike behind. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Sembe
Near Kolofata (Mayo-Sava Department) - The BIR killed five ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighters and recovered three rifles in an ambush set up by the security forces. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Sembe
Sanda Wadjiri and Cherif Moussari (Mayo-Sava and Mayo-Tsanaga Departments) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) members raided the peasants in the villages. One of the attackers was killed and his weapon was recovered when the BIR intervened and repelled the militants. Source: Humanity Purpose
NIGER
22 December
Near Chetimari (Diffa Department) - ISWAP clashed with a Nigerien Army patrol, which according to the group’s claim (posted the same day) was trying to advance towards its positions. The militants claimed to have killed three soldiers and forced others to withdraw, in addition to stealing two rifles.
CHAD
No attacks were reported during this period.