A daring attack on Chad’s presidential complex in N’Djamena ended in bloodshed on Wednesday, with at least 19 people killed.
The assault, which began around 7:45 pm, involved an armed commando unit that breached the complex’s security and engaged in a fierce shootout with government forces.
According to Government Spokesman and Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, 18 of the attackers were killed, along with one security agent.
Six attackers were injured, and three security personnel were also wounded, one critically.
Koulamallah initially suspected Boko Haram involvement but later backtracked, describing the attackers as drunken “Pieds Nickeles” – a reference to a French comic featuring hapless criminals.
The minister assured that the situation is under control and the destabilization attempt has been put down.
The attack occurred just hours after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and other senior officials.
Chad, currently under military rule, faces regular attacks by Boko Haram, particularly in the western Lake Chad region.
The country recently ended a military agreement with France, its former colonial power.
