YAOUNDE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chad has declared a 20-day state of emergency in the Lake province following terrorist attacks by Boko Haram militants on soldiers.
According to a statement released late Thursday by the country's army, the emergency measure will run from midnight on May 7 to midnight on May 27.
The statement urged officials and security forces to take "all necessary measures" to ensure the safety of people and their property during the period.
"Violations of measures taken under the state of emergency are punishable in accordance with applicable laws. The measures taken pursuant to this decree cease to have effect upon the termination of the state of emergency," the statement said.
Twenty-three Chadian soldiers were killed and 26 others injured on Monday in an assault by Boko Haram militants on the Barka Tolorom island military base in the province.
Another attack was reported on Wednesday by local media, but there was no official announcement regarding the number of casualties.
The Lake province is located in the Lake Chad region, bordering Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon. The region is regularly the scene of attacks attributed to the terror group Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province. ■