BREAKING: Coup Fears in Chad as Opposition Leader, Yaya Dillo, Killed in Shootout, Video Emerges

• Yaya Djerou Dillo, the leader of the opposition, Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), has been killed
• Dillo was eliminated on Wednesday, February 28, allegedly during an exchange of fire with security operatives
• Legit.ng reports that Dillo, 49, was a cousin of transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering global news.

N'Djamena, Chad - Yaya Dillo Djérou, an opposition leader in Chad, has been killed during a shootout with security forces.

As reported by the BBC on Thursday, February 29, officials confirmed Dillo's death.

Dillo's death comes after the government blamed him for a deadly attack on the country's security agency. He denied the accusation.

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Legit.ng understands that Dillo was expected to contest in national elections in May 2024.

On Wednesday, February 28, heavy gunfire was heard near his (Dillo's) party's headquarters in the capital, N'Djamena. Nova News described Wednesday's incident as an attempted coup d'état.

Images that circulated on social media show a massive presence of military forces in the streets of the capital, as well as armoured vehicles and tanks.

Dillo is a vocal opponent of his cousin, President Mahamat Déby, who has been in power since 2021.

Abderaman Koulamallah, the Chadian communications minister, told AFP that the primary intention was not to kill Dillo.

He said:

“He didn’t want to surrender and fired on law enforcement."

See the photos and video of the aftermath of the attack below as shared on social media by West African news personalities:

Read more about Chad:

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Mahamat Deby replaces slain father in Chad

In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that Mahamat Idriss Deby, the son of the late Chadian president (Idriss Deby Itno), was named transitional leader as head of the military council.

Mahamat, a four-star general and career soldier in the Chadian Army occupies the functions of the president of the republic and also serves as head of the armed forces.

Source: Legit.ng