Armed groups have launched a new wave of attacks in the Lake Chad basin, striking military camps and patrols in Chad and Nigeria with growing intensity and organization. According to field reports, fighters used ambushes, infiltration, and night-vision systems, leaving soldiers outgunned and shaken. The resurgence of violence highlights the mounting challenges faced by the regional Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), as political tensions and withdrawals erode its operational effectiveness.

Escalating Attacks In Lake Chad

Reports indicate that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is spearheading the recent escalation, taking over areas once controlled by Boko Haram. The group has claimed 232 attacks in the basin between January and June 2025, compared to only 22 by Boko Haram. Survivors of recent raids described militants equipped with heavier weaponry than national armies, resulting in deadly clashes near the Cameroon border.

Decline Of Regional Counterterrorism Efforts

The MNJTF, formed by Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, was reactivated in 2015 to counter cross-border insurgencies. However, its strength has eroded over time. Niger suspended participation in 2023 after tensions with Nigeria, while Chad threatened withdrawal following heavy battlefield losses. Cameroon, overstretched by its internal separatist conflict, has also struggled to sustain commitments, leaving Nigerian forces vulnerable to multiple insurgent threats.

Political And Security Fallout

The weakening of the joint force has created space for ISWAP to expand operations across border zones, undermining regional stability. Analysts warn that the erosion of cooperation among Lake Chad states could fuel further violence, with local armies already overstretched by banditry and separatist conflicts. The recent surge of coordinated attacks underscores the difficulty of sustaining counterterrorism gains in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.