Atleast six high-ranking officers and soldiers of the Republic of Chad lost their lives, with several others wounded, in what is described as a violent assault on Chadian armed forces by the Boko Haram terrorists.
Zagazola Makama, a Defence expert reported that the ambush occurred on Friday shortly after President Mahamat Idriss Déby departed the area to return urgently to the capital, Ndjamena.
Among the deceased are senior officers, including General Youssouf Abdoulaye Kari, General Adoum Issa, Colonel Lony Allatchi, Lieutenant Colonel Gorou Wardougou, Adam Nassour Mahamat, and Idrissa Malloum.
The attack also left key figures wounded, such as General François Tatiko, General Moubarack Formalick, Bokhit Bachar, Lieutenant Jean Pierre Medar, and Ibrahim Ali.
General Youssouf Abdoulaye Kari, a veteran respected by his forces and a former member of Chad’s contingent in Mali, was among those killed, leaving a significant void in the military leadership.
The Chadian Army spokesperson, General Issakha Acheikh has issued a statement regarding murderous ambush against the Chadian troops but refused to provide further details.
He said that the General Staff of the Armed Forces brings to the attention of national and international opinion that after a meticulous reorganization of the units of the Defence and Security Forces, by the President of the Republic, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces and, the well-ordered launch of Operation Haskanite to dislodge the Boko Haram terrorists from Lake Chad, a first clash took place today, Saturday 09 November 2024.
He explained that after a few hours of fighting, several terrorist elements were neutralised and the raid continued while he added that the detailed balance sheet will be communicated to you later.