The Defence Headquarters has announced that joint counterterrorism operations conducted by Nigerian troops in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) have resulted in the elimination of 175 ISIS-linked terrorists during coordinated air and ground strikes across North-East Nigeria.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that the recent operations targeted terrorist hideouts, weapons storage facilities, checkpoints, logistics hubs, and financial networks associated with insurgent activities in the region.
Among those reportedly killed were several top commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by the military as a key global ISIS operative involved in terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics, and attack coordination.
Other commanders neutralised during 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 terrorist group.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the successful elimination of the commanders has significantly disrupted ISIS operational coordination and weakened external attack networks linked to the insurgents.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining ongoing military operations alongside international partners to dismantle terrorist cells and restore lasting peace and stability across affected communities in the North-East.
