By Ayomide Otitoju
The Defence Headquarters on Monday announced that Nigerian troops, in collaboration with the United States Africa Command, carried out coordinated air strikes that killed more than 20 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nigeria’s North-East.
The military said the precision strikes targeted terrorist hideouts around Metele in Borno State following intelligence reports indicating the movement and gathering of insurgents in the area.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, the operation was described as part of an intensified counterterrorism campaign aimed at crippling terrorist networks, dismantling operational bases, and preventing insurgents from regrouping.
“The Defence Headquarters, in close coordination with the United States Africa Command, wishes to update the general public on the continuation of coordinated operations against ISIS militants across North-East Nigeria,” the statement read.
According to the military, surveillance operations detected a fresh concentration of terrorist elements, prompting a series of calculated air assaults that successfully neutralised dozens of ISWAP fighters.
Officials said the offensive forms part of sustained efforts to flush insurgents out of their enclaves, disrupt planned attacks, and restore security in affected communities.
Reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to national security, Uba stated that troops would continue aggressive operations to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities, and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.
The latest operation comes days after United States President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the killing of notorious ISIS commander Al-Minuki during a separate joint counterterrorism mission involving Nigerian and American forces.
Trump described Al-Minuki as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, claiming the slain extremist was regarded as ISIS’ second-in-command globally and had believed Africa would shield him from capture.
