Lake Chad Basin Weekly Security Update 2-8 October 2023
Hello and welcome to the twenty-third edition of the Lake Chad Basin Weekly Security Update.
Undoubtedly, the most important development of this week was another increase in violent incidents in northern Cameroon. This comprised not only attacks launched by jihadi insurgents in the departments of Mayo-Sava and Mayo-Tsanaga but also the inter-communal clashes between farmers and herders much closer to the edge of Lake Chad. Higher activity from JAS is most likely not a reaction to the killing of ten militants last week in one of the security operations. Nevertheless, as the rainy season is very slowly coming toward its end, one has to wonder whether JAS, similar to ISWAP in NE Nigeria, is going to step up its kinetic presence in the coming months.
Speaking of ISWAP, this group’s activity was not as high as previously, as can be seen in the number of incidents listed below. We have seen in previous years how the attacks had increased not only in quantity but also in quality once the dry season commenced. Judging by this fact alone, it is likely that the group is currently gearing up. If the military claims of ISWAP being weakened are correct, it would mean that these attacks will not be as high-scale as previously. However, the group obviously has not said its last word and will try to prove the military wrong.
One more comment about the Sunday arrest of three purported ISWAP members near Abuja. As the readers of these Updates can notice, it has been a long time since the group claimed any attacks outside of Lake Chad Basin and BAY states. In fact, the last such claim of responsibility was posted exactly half a year ago from Jigawa State. It is quite striking how last year’s activity has almost completely fizzled out, especially in Kogi State. With arrests like this, it seems clear, however, that ISWAP has not forgotten about other areas of Nigeria. It has to be repeated that the claimed activity never comprises all actions committed by the group. For this reason, a (far from perfect and far from detailed) assessment would be that the cells are still present albeit likely weaker.
NIGERIA
30 September
Tumbun Fulani and Tumbun Shittu (Abadam LGA, Borno State) - Nigerian Air Force conducted strikes targeting terrorist hideouts on the fringes of Lake Chad. Several militants were said to have been killed and three gun trucks were destroyed. Source: Zagazola
1 October
Azir (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - Two traders were shot dead by ISWAP in an armed attack. They were said to have traveled to Azir to buy and sell goods at a local market. Source: Radio Ndarason International
2 October
Damboa (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - A member of the CJTF was shot and severely wounded when four ISWAP militants broke into his home. He was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Source: Radio Ndarason International
3 October
Near Bama (Bama LGA, Borno State) - An unidentified number of farmers was abducted by ‘Boko Haram’ (faction unclear) fighters who arrived from the Gulumba axis and later led the victims ‘into fringes of Sambisa Forest’. Source: Daily Trust
5 October
Soye (Bama LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP attacked a Nigerian Army checkpoint, claiming (on 7 October) to have killed one soldier and forced others to withdraw. In addition, the group reported capturing a machine gun, an assault rifle, and a motorbike before withdrawing.
ISWAP’s claim for the Soye attack.
8 October
Dakwa (Bwari LGA, Federal Capital Territory) - Three suspected ISWAP members were arrested by the police with three AK rifles. One of the suspects reportedly said he came from Doron Baga (in Borno State) ‘to kill someone.’ Two other people were arrested afterward. Source: Daily Trust
CAMEROON
30 September
Modoko (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) attacked the village, killing one ox and taking the meat, along with two other oxen, other small animals, and food. Source: Humanity Purpose
1 October
Dinglding (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - One was killed in a ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) attack on the village. Hundreds of livestock, food, and clothes, were taken away by the assailants. Source: Sembe
2 October
Gance (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) attacked civilians working in their fields. Two men were injured while the attackers stole three motorbikes, four phones, money, and onions. Source: Humanity Purpose
Kolofata (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) looted houses during an armed incursion, stealing a bike, clothes, and food. Further looting was prevented by the military intervention. Source: Sembe
Sra Doumba (Mayo-Sava Department) - Four gunmen tried to rob the local population but were repelled. Two of them were arrested while the rest fled. Three weapons and a motorbike were recovered. Sources: Humanity Purpose 1, Humanity Purpose 2, Ardhu Officiel
3 October
Dogba (Diamare Department) - Unidentified armed men shot a man working in his field dead. Source: Humanity Purpose
Gorai (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - Armed kidnappers attempted an abduction of two young women from an IDP camp. The women alerted the population, which started a pursuit of the attackers, who abandoned the would-be victims and fled. Source: Humanity Purpose
Grea (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighters killed two members of the Vigilante Committee (COVIs) while they were working in their field. The operation by the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) helped discover a nearby militant camp. Four militants were killed and two others were arrested. The military seized weapons, ammunition, telephones, and other military equipment. Sources: Sembe, Ardhu Officiel, Humanity Purpose, L'Oeil du Sahel
Kourgui (Mayo-Sava Department) - A prominent leader of the COVIs was wounded during a JAS attack on the village. Source: Sembe
Mora and Kolofata Districts (both Mayo-Sava Department) - The Department Prefect signed an order prohibiting motorbike movement between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. in both districts. Its objective is to limit the number of attacks launched by ‘Boko Haram’. Source: L'Oeil du Sahel
4 October
Dzaba (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighters were spotted in an abandoned village, doing evening prayers. Source: Humanity Purpose
Mada-Blangoua road (Logone-et-Chari Department) - Two public transport cars returning from the market in Mada were attacked by armed men (their direct relation to any faction of ‘Boko Haram’ could not be verified). Two people were wounded and one of the vehicles was looted. Source: Humanity Purpose
5 October
Amchide (Mayo-Sava Department) - Two ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fuel suppliers were arrested by the BIR near the village, a day after the vigilante committee arrested another member of the group. Source: Humanity Purpose
Amchide (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) militants stole two motorbikes from the residents working in their onion field. Source: Sembe
Gare and Walassa (both Mayo-Sava Department) - Four bikes, three bags of fish, and one bag of chili pepper were stolen by the ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) members around the deserted villages from the civilians traveling to the Tolkomari market. Source: Sembe
Goldikeye and Madakar (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) stole 40 oxen in Goldikeye, followed by a theft of several other ruminants in Madakar an hour later. Also in Goldikeye, the armed men abducted a child and stole a motorbike. Source: Humanity Purpose
Kolofata (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) launched two attacks on the COVIs. First, they stole sheep from one of the vigilantes while he was on duty. Later, the insurgents ransacked two fields owned by the COVIs in the direction of Grea. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Sembe
6 October
Gadafaye (Logone-et-Chari Department) - A man was injured in clashes between Kotoko farmers and Arab Shuwa herders. Other members of the community managed to stop the fighting in the village. Sources: Humanity Purpose, L'Oeil du Sahel
Sao (Logone-et-Chari Department) - One person was wounded as a result of inter-communal clashes between members of the Kotoko and Arab Shuwa ethnic groups. Source: Humanity Purpose
7 October
Amdagalgui and Ngouma (both Logone-et-Chari Department) - One person was killed and 15 others were wounded (including five with serious injuries) in clashes between Kotoko farmers and Shuwa Arab breeders after a herd of animals destroyed a crop field. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Ardhu Officiel
Djayaya (Logone-et-Chari Department) - Two people were injured during clashes between farmers and breeders. Source: Humanity Purpose
Nguetchewe-Kaliari area (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - A purported ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) scout was arrested by the local population and handed over to the vigilantes and the gendarmerie. Source: Humanity Purpose
8 October
Bourvare (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) members stole two bikes from the people going to work in their fields. Source: Sembe
NIGER
1 October
Damasak-Chetimari area (Diffa Department) - ISWAP abducted and executed two Christian civilians, claiming it on 4 October. On 5 October, the group published two photos from the attack - one after the abduction and one after the execution. Due to a graphic nature of the picture (and out of respect for the victims’ families), these photos will not be posted here.
ISWAP’s claim for the execution of Christian civilians in the area between Damasak and Chetimari.
CHAD
No attacks were reported during this period.