A joint counterterrorism operation involving the Nigerian military and the United States Africa Command has reportedly resulted in the killing of 175 terrorists in Nigeria’s North-East, including a senior global operative linked to the Islamic State group.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the coordinated air and ground offensives were launched in recent days as part of renewed efforts to dismantle insurgent strongholds and disrupt terrorist activities across the region.
Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said the operation targeted key terrorist camps, checkpoints, logistics bases, weapons storage facilities and financial networks believed to be sustaining insurgency operations.
Among those reportedly killed was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by the military as one of the most significant global operatives of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Authorities said he was deeply involved in coordinating recruitment, financing, logistics and attack planning for extremist operations within Nigeria and beyond.
Other senior commanders said to have been neutralised include Abd-al Wahhab, Abu Musa al-Mangawi, and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir.
The military stated that the elimination of the commanders has significantly weakened the group’s operational coordination and external attack network.
It added that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, working alongside international partners, would continue sustained operations aimed at dismantling terrorist cells and restoring stability in the North-East.
The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to tracking and neutralising all individuals and groups posing threats to national and regional security.
