The Defence Headquarters has announced that joint counterterrorism operations carried out by Nigerian troops in collaboration with the United States Africa Command have led to the killing of 175 ISIS-linked terrorists in coordinated strikes across the North-East region.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, the operations involved precision air and ground assaults targeting terrorist hideouts, weapons storage facilities, checkpoints, logistics bases, and financial networks linked to insurgent activities.
The military confirmed that several senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were among those neutralised. These include Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as a major ISIS global operative involved in terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics, and attack coordination.
Other commanders reported killed in the operation include Abd-al Wahhab, Abu Musa al-Mangawi, and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, who were allegedly responsible for propaganda coordination, media operations, and planning attacks for the group.
Military authorities stated that the elimination of these commanders has significantly disrupted ISIS operational coordination and weakened external attack networks linked to insurgent activities in the region.
The Armed Forces further reaffirmed their commitment to sustained joint operations with international partners aimed at dismantling terrorist cells and restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East.
