Defence Headquarters says joint air operations carried out by Nigerian and United States forces have killed 175 Islamic State fighters in North-East Nigeria. According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, the coordinated strikes dealt a “devastating blow” to terrorist networks operating within the region, with several strategic […]
Share This Article:
Defence Headquarters says joint air operations carried out by Nigerian and United States forces have killed 175 Islamic State fighters in North-East Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, the coordinated strikes dealt a “devastating blow” to terrorist networks operating within the region, with several strategic targets destroyed during the offensive.
An official of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) also confirmed the death toll among the jihadist fighters.
AFRICOM commander, Dagvin Anderson, told a Congressional hearing in Washington that Nigeria played a critical role in the operations through intelligence gathering, target development and operational support.
The military said one of the key terrorists killed during the strikes was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the world’s most active ISIS operatives.
According to Nigerian military authorities and AFRICOM, al-Minuki coordinated global ISIS operations, including media activities, financing, weapons development, explosives manufacturing and drone operations.
The operation also reportedly eliminated other senior ISWAP commanders, including Abd-al Wahhab, said to be responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda distribution for the group.
Others killed include Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, identified as a senior ISWAP media operative and close associate of al-Minuki.
The Defence Headquarters said the strikes destroyed multiple terrorist hideouts, operational bases and logistics structures used by insurgents across the North-East.
Following the announcement of al-Minuki’s death, President Bola Tinubu thanked United States President Donald Trump for continued support in the fight against terrorism.
Tinubu said he looked forward to “more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”
The operations come amid renewed attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram insurgents on villages, security formations and civilians in parts of northern Nigeria.
PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE ON NIGERIA- UNITED STATES JOINT STRIKES ON ISIS: FORCES DELIVER DEVASTATING BLOW, ELIMINATE 175 TERRORISTS
The Defence Headquarters wishes to announce major successes in continuing counterterrorism operations in close coordination with United States Africa… pic.twitter.com/vxp4XSzRPQ
The upsurge in violence earlier prompted the Federal Government to declare a nationwide state of emergency in 2025.
Meanwhile, the United States has continued expanding counterterrorism operations across Africa, including intensified strikes against ISIS and al-Shabaab targets in Somalia.
On May 18, #AFRICOM, conducted counter terrorism efforts in coordination with Nigeria against an ISIS fighter camp in NE Nigeria. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed.
ADBN TV is a dynamic digital broadcasting platform committed to delivering credible news, inspiring stories, and engaging programmes that inform, educate, and connect communities across Nigeria and beyond.
