Forty-four Boko Haram members taken prisoner during the recent operation launched by Chad against the jihadist group were found dead in their cells Thursday morning in N'Djamena, announced the public prosecutor.
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" Following the fighting in Lake Chad, 58 Boko Haram elements were taken prisoner and transferred to N'Djamena for the purposes of the investigation. Thursday morning, their jailers announced that 44 prisoners had been found dead in their cell, "said Youssouf Tom, state prosecutor, who visited the country. " We buried 40 bodies and handed over 4 bodies to the medical examiner for an autopsy, " he said.
" The conclusion of this autopsy indicates that there was consumption of a lethal and iatrogenic substance, having produced a heart disorder in some and severe asphyxia in others, " added the prosecutor. The investigation will continue " to determine the exact cause of this tragedy, " he said.
These prisoners were arrested during the vast operation launched by Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno at the end of March against jihadist groups which are increasing the attacks on Lake Chad. They had been brought to justice on Wednesday, Chadian Minister of Justice Djimet Arabi had announced to AFP. They were then scheduled to be heard on Thursday and to be tried by a criminal court.
The Chadian military operation, dubbed Colère de Bohoma, took place from March 31 to April 8. According to the army, at least 52 Chadian soldiers and 1,000 jihadists were killed during this operation launched to avenge the Chadian army.
It had been the target of a bloody attack on March 23 of Boko Haram elements against one of its bases, killing a hundred of its soldiers. The worst defeat ever recorded in less than 24 hours by this army reputed to be the most effective in the region.