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Tag: AFRICOM

  • Nigerian Military, US Forces Kill Over 20 ISIS Fighters in Fresh Borno Airstrikes

    The Nigerian military has announced the killing of more than 20 suspected ISIS and ISWAP fighters during fresh coordinated airstrike operations carried out with support from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Borno State.

    According to the military, the operation targeted terrorist enclaves around Metele, a northern Borno community that has repeatedly come under insurgent attacks.

    DHQ confirms joint operation

    The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.

    According to the Defence Headquarters, the strikes followed intelligence reports indicating movement and gathering of terrorist fighters within the area.

    “The Defence Headquarters, in close coordination with United States Africa Command, wish to update the general public on the continuation of coordinated operations against ISIS militants across North-East Nigeria, with additional air strike operations successfully executed in the general area of Metele,” the statement read.

    The military said several coordinated airstrikes were launched on identified terrorist positions, leading to the death of more than 20 fighters linked to ISIS and ISWAP.

    Operation follows killing of ISIS commander

    The latest offensive comes days after Nigerian and American forces reportedly carried out another joint operation that led to the killing of notorious ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

    According to the Defence Headquarters, the ongoing operations are aimed at weakening terrorist networks, restricting insurgent movements and preventing them from establishing operational bases within Nigeria.

    “The ongoing operations follow the neutralisation of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, remove them from the battlefield and deny the terrorists any safe haven within Nigeria,” Uba stated.

    Military vows sustained offensive

    The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military offensives against insurgents across the country.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation,” the military said.

    “Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria.”

  • AFRICOM Releases Footage Of Joint Nigeria–US Strike That Killed Senior ISIS Leader Al-Minuki

    The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has released footage of a coordinated military operation in northeastern Nigeria, saying the mission led to the killing of senior Islamic State leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and other top ISIS figures.

    In a statement on Saturday, AFRICOM said the strike was carried out on May 16, 2026, under the direction of the United States President and the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria.

    Multiple ISIS Leaders Killed In Operation

    According to AFRICOM, initial assessments indicated that several terrorists were eliminated during the operation, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s director of global operations.

    The command added that no United States service members were injured during the mission.

    It said the operation targeted a “significant presence of ISIS fighters in Northeastern Nigeria,” describing it as a coordinated effort between Nigerian and American forces.

    US Military Details Intelligence-Driven Strike

    U.S. Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, said the mission reflected strong cooperation between both countries.

    “As President Trump shared last night, AFRICOM, in coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, bravely and valiantly conducted a successful mission that resulted in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, and multiple other ISIS leaders,” he said.

    He added that the operation was the result of months of coordination and intelligence sharing between both militaries.

    According to him, the partnership underscores a growing commitment to counterterrorism cooperation in the region.

    Role Of The ISIS Commander

    AFRICOM described al-Minuki as a key operational figure within ISIS, allegedly involved in strategic planning, media operations, weapons development, explosives production, drone manufacturing and hostage-taking coordination.

    He was also said to play a central role in directing global ISIS-linked activities.

    Tinubu Hails Joint Operation

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier described the mission as a “daring joint operation” that inflicted significant losses on ISIS networks operating in the Lake Chad Basin and surrounding areas.

    The latest development adds to ongoing military efforts by Nigerian forces and international partners aimed at weakening insurgent groups in the North-East.