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Tag: Nigeria Military

  • DHQ Denies Existence of Terrorist Base in South-West Amid Oyo School Abduction

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports suggesting the existence of a terrorist base in the South-West, insisting that ongoing military operations are targeted at rescuing abducted victims and tracking criminal elements behind recent attacks in Oyo State.

    The clarification was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja.

    DHQ reacts to Oyo school attack

    Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had sympathised with the government and people of Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

    He condemned the attack on the affected schools, describing the abduction of innocent children and education workers as criminal and unacceptable.

    According to him, the Armed Forces have already deployed personnel and operational resources to ensure the victims are rescued safely.

    “The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims,” he said.

    “No terrorist base in South-West”

    The defence spokesman maintained that intelligence available to security agencies does not support claims of an organised terrorist structure operating in the South-West region.

    According to him, previous clearance operations carried out within the Old Oyo National Park had already neutralised criminal elements operating around the area.

    “The incident in Oyo State remains an isolated criminal act and does not indicate the presence of an entrenched insurgent structure in the region,” Onoja stated.

    He warned against spreading narratives capable of creating panic or emboldening criminal groups.

    Troops tracking abductors

    Onoja further disclosed that troops had established contact with the abductors and were currently sustaining pursuit operations across forest routes linked to the attack.

    He said joint operations involving other security agencies and local vigilante groups were ongoing to flush out criminal elements and restore normalcy in affected communities.

    The military also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to aid rescue operations.

    “The Armed Forces will not relent until all abducted victims are rescued and those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.

  • DHQ: Nigerian, US Forces Kill 175 ISIS Militants in Major North-East Offensive

    The Defence Headquarters has announced that no fewer than 175 ISIS militants have been killed in ongoing joint counterterrorism operations involving Nigerian troops and the United States Africa Command in the North-East.

    The military said the coordinated offensive has significantly weakened the terrorist group’s operations across the region.

    Joint Air and Ground Strikes Intensify

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that the operations began a few days ago and involved coordinated air and ground assaults on ISIS strongholds.

    According to him, the strikes destroyed multiple checkpoints, logistics hubs, weapons storage facilities, financial networks and operational equipment used by the terrorists.

    He described the operation as a “devastating blow” to ISIS activities in the region.

    Top ISIS Commanders Neutralised

    The Defence Headquarters also confirmed the killing of several senior ISIS commanders during the operation.

    Among those neutralised was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by the military as one of the group’s most important global operatives.

    Uba said al-Minuki played a major role in terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics coordination and planning attacks against civilians.

    His death, according to the military, has severely disrupted the operational structure and coordination of the extremist network.

    Other Key Terror Figures Killed

    The military further identified other senior figures killed in the offensive, including Abd-al Wahhab, said to be an ISWAP commander linked to attacks and propaganda operations.

    Also killed were Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, who was reportedly involved in ISIS media production activities.

    Military Vows Continued Offensive

    The Defence Headquarters said the latest success reflects the sustained efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and international allies in dismantling terrorist networks operating within the country.

    Uba assured Nigerians that operations would continue until all extremist threats are neutralised.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with international partners, will continue to hunt down and destroy terrorists wherever they operate,” he stated.

  • US lawmaker: Trump to hunt terrorists behind attacks on Christians in Nigeria after ISIS strike

    United States Congressman Riley Moore has said President Donald Trump is prepared to go after terrorists responsible for attacks on Christians in Nigeria, following a reported joint operation that killed a senior Islamic State commander. The statement has reignited debate around foreign involvement in Nigeria’s security challenges.

    Moore speaks on ISIS operation

    Moore made the comments during a television interview on NewsNation, where he referenced the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of ISIS’s top global commanders.

    He said the operation reflected a stronger posture by Washington against extremist groups operating across Africa, particularly those linked to violence against civilians.

    According to him, the strike sends a clear message to terror networks that the United States is actively monitoring and responding to threats in the region.

    Trump’s alleged focus on Nigeria security concerns

    Moore also claimed that Trump had shown personal interest in reports of violence affecting Christian communities in Nigeria.

    He stated that the former US president had asked for closer examination of the situation, prompting visits by members of the House Appropriations Committee to assess conditions on the ground.

    He added that findings from those engagements were later shared with the White House, with recommendations on how to strengthen protection for vulnerable communities.

    US and Nigeria security cooperation

    The lawmaker further noted that cooperation between the United States and Nigeria on counterterrorism is not new, tracing it back to the rise of Boko Haram in the mid-2010s.

    He explained that recent developments only reinforced the need for continued collaboration, especially in the Lake Chad region where extremist groups remain active.

    Nigerian defence authorities had earlier confirmed that the recent operation was intelligence-driven and carried out jointly with US support, targeting a key terrorist structure in the northeast.

    Security officials also linked the killed ISIS commander to weapons production, drone coordination and propaganda activities within the group’s global network.

    The development comes amid renewed international attention on Nigeria’s security landscape and the ongoing fight against insurgency across parts of the country.

  • Wedding Turns To Mourning As Soldier Dies Weeks Before Marriage In Sokoto Ambush

    Family members, friends, and colleagues have been thrown into mourning following the reported death of Nigerian military officer, Lieutenant Abdullahi Isma’il Chafe, after an alleged ambush on military personnel in Sokoto State.

    The tragic incident was said to have occurred just weeks before the officer’s wedding ceremony scheduled for June 13, 2026, turning what was meant to be a joyful period into grief for his loved ones.

    Wedding Plans Cut Short By Tragedy

    Reports circulating online claimed the late officer lost his life during an ambush involving Nigerian military personnel in Sokoto.

    The heartbreaking development sparked emotional reactions across social media, especially after a wedding invitation card allegedly belonging to the deceased officer surfaced online.

    A family member of the bride, identified as @aeesha_bagudu on X, confirmed the incident while mourning the loss of her cousin’s fiancé.

    “There was an ambush on the Nigerian military late yesterday night in Sokoto and my cousin whose wedding was a few weeks from today lost her fiancée. Officers lost their lives and there’s nothing about it online,” she wrote.

    Tributes Pour In Online

    Several Nigerians took to social media to mourn the officer while sympathising with his family and colleagues.

    A user identified as @BAface369 wrote, “We lost colleague Chafe yesterday in a war zone ambush. He was young, promising, and devoted to his duty and faith. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him mercy, and admit him to Jannah.”

    Another user, @TobechiOgazi, described the situation as one of the painful realities of insecurity in Nigeria.

    “This is one of the saddest parts of insecurity in Nigeria. Families lose fathers, sons, fiancés, and brothers, then the news disappears almost immediately like those lives never mattered,” the post read.

    Others also shared similar experiences involving security personnel allegedly killed during operations without widespread public attention.

    Fresh Concerns Over Security Challenges

    The incident has once again triggered conversations about the dangers faced daily by Nigerian security operatives amid ongoing insecurity across different parts of the country.

    Many Nigerians described the development as heartbreaking, especially considering the officer was preparing for his wedding before the reported attack.

    As condolences continue to pour in, several social media users have called for improved welfare and security measures for military personnel risking their lives in service to the nation.

  • 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.”

  • ISWAP Suffers Heavy Losses As Bomb Blast Kills Six Fighters In Borno

    No fewer than six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) they were assembling exploded in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

    The incident reportedly occurred around 7:00 a.m. on Saturday in Jubilaram village.

    The information was contained in a report by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, which quoted security sources familiar with the development.

    IED Explosion Hits Bomb-Making Cell

    According to the sources, the group was led by a suspected bomb expert identified as Abu Umar, who also died in the explosion alongside five other militants.

    Three additional members of the group reportedly sustained serious injuries in the blast.

    The affected cell was said to be part of ISWAP’s IED-making network operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis, a known corridor for insurgent movement in the Lake Chad Basin.

    Operational Impact On Insurgents

    The explosion reportedly destroyed the site and left several casualties, disrupting ongoing bomb-making activities in the area.

    Security analysts quoted in the report said the deaths of Abu Umar and other operatives could deal a setback to ISWAP’s improvised explosive device operations in the region.

    The affected hub, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, was described as a key manufacturing point for explosive devices used in attacks across parts of Borno State.

    Possible Follow-Up Military Action

    Military sources also suggested that the incident may trigger further air and ground operations aimed at exploiting the disruption and targeting remaining insurgent cells in the Marte axis.

    Authorities are reportedly monitoring the situation as part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the Lake Chad region, where security forces continue to pressure ISWAP and other extremist groups.

  • 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.

  • Confusion Trails Reported Killing Of ISWAP Commander Al-Manuki After 2024 Death Claim

    Confusion has continued to trail the reported killing of senior ISWAP commander Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abubakar Mainok, after Nigerian authorities previously announced his death in 2024.

    The controversy intensified after Donald Trump announced that American and Nigerian forces had carried out a successful joint operation targeting the terrorist leader.

    Trump, Tinubu Confirm Operation

    In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump described Al-Manuki as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists.

    “Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote.

    He added that the operation would weaken ISIS operations globally and reduce threats against both Africans and Americans.

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu also confirmed the operation in a statement issued from the State House.

    According to Tinubu, Nigerian troops worked alongside United States forces in a “daring joint operation” targeting terrorist hideouts in the Lake Chad Basin.

    “Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants,” Tinubu stated.

    The President also thanked the United States government for its support in counterterrorism operations.

    Military Had Earlier Declared Him Dead

    However, findings have shown that the Nigerian military had already announced Al-Manuki’s death in 2024.

    In April 2024, the Defence Headquarters listed Abu Bilal Minuki among terrorist commanders allegedly neutralised during military operations conducted between January and March 2024.

    The announcement was made by then Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba.

    At the time, Buba identified Minuki as the “Head of IS-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP)” and said he was killed during military operations around the Birnin Gwari forest axis and Abuja-Kaduna corridor.

    According to the briefing, the insurgent commander was allegedly eliminated on February 21, 2024.

    The military also announced that thousands of terrorists had been killed, arrested or displaced during the period under review.

    Who Is Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki?

    Security reports identify Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, also known as Abu Bilal Al-Minuki or Abubakar Mainok, as a senior ISIS-linked commander operating across West Africa and the Sahel.

    According to the Counter Extremism Project, Al-Manuki was born in Mainok, Borno State, in 1982 and later became a major figure within ISIS-aligned structures in the Lake Chad Basin.

    The United States government designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in June 2023 over alleged involvement in ISIS operations.

    Authorities linked him to ISIS’s al-Furqan network, which coordinates extremist activities across Nigeria, the Sahel and parts of West Africa.

    He was also reportedly involved in weapons manufacturing, explosives development, drone operations and ISIS propaganda activities.

    Questions Continue Over Contradictory Claims

    The conflicting reports surrounding his alleged deaths in 2024 and 2026 have continued to generate debate online and within security circles.

    While Nigerian and US authorities insist the latest operation was based on months of intelligence gathering and target verification, sceptics have questioned why his death had previously been announced by the military.

    Security analysts, however, argue that mistaken battlefield identification and conflicting intelligence assessments are not uncommon in counterterrorism operations involving insurgent groups that use aliases and operate across difficult terrains.

  • Trump Claims US, Nigerian Forces Killed Top ISIS Commander In Joint Operation

    Donald Trump has claimed that American forces and the Nigerian military carried out a joint operation that allegedly eliminated a top ISIS commander in Africa.

    In a statement shared online, Trump said the operation targeted Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally and one of the terror group’s most active operatives.

    Trump Praises Nigerian Military Partnership

    According to Trump, the mission was conducted alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces after intelligence reportedly tracked the suspect’s movements and activities across Africa.

    He claimed the operation was highly coordinated and would weaken ISIS operations globally.

    “Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission,” Trump stated.

    He further alleged that the deceased terrorist had been involved in planning operations capable of targeting both Africans and Americans.

    “ISIS Global Operation Greatly Diminished”

    Trump said the operation would significantly reduce the capabilities of the terrorist organisation.

    “He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” he said.

    “With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”

    The U.S. president also thanked the Nigerian government for cooperating in the operation and praised the forces involved.

    No Official Nigerian Confirmation Yet

    As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian military authorities and the Federal Government had not officially confirmed the operation or the reported killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

    The statement has, however, generated widespread reactions online amid ongoing security concerns surrounding extremist groups operating across parts of Africa.

  • Military Rejects Report Claiming Airstrike Killed Over 100 In Zamfara

    The Nigerian military has dismissed reports alleging that more than 100 people were killed during an airstrike in Zamfara State, insisting that there is “no credible evidence” showing civilians were affected.

    The reports, which surfaced on Tuesday, claimed that scores of residents died after a military operation targeting insurgents hit a community in the state.

    Amnesty alleges women, traders among victims

    Rights organisation Amnesty International alleged that many of the victims were women and girls trading at a local market during the strike.

    According to the organisation, one affected village reportedly buried about 80 people at once following the incident.

    Amnesty also stated that dozens of injured persons were taken to hospitals in Zurmi and Shinkafi, while others were referred to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau for treatment.

    Defence Headquarters denies civilian deaths

    Reacting to the reports, the Defence Headquarters denied that civilians were killed during the operation.

    Defence spokesperson, Michael Onoja, said the strike targeted a “confirmed high-level gathering” of militant leaders based on intelligence gathered from multiple sources.

    According to him, the operation was conducted in compliance with international humanitarian law.

    “No credible, substantiated evidence of civilian casualties has been established through any official assessment or independent verification,” Onoja said.

    He added that the military’s post-strike assessment indicated that “several terrorists were neutralised.”

    Fresh concerns over military airstrikes

    The development has renewed concerns over civilian protection and intelligence accuracy during military operations in northern Nigeria.

    The latest controversy comes barely weeks after another reported airstrike in Jilli, located on the Borno-Yobe border, allegedly killed several civilians in April 2026.

    Previous operations in Zamfara and other northern states have also triggered disputes over whether those killed were terrorists, vigilantes or civilians.