The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that ongoing joint counterterrorism operations involving Nigerian troops and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) have led to the killing of 175 ISIS fighters in the Northeast.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, the military said the coordinated ground and air operations, which began a few days ago, had recorded significant gains against ISIS and ISWAP elements operating in the region.
According to the DHQ, the latest operational assessment as of May 19 showed that sustained assaults had eliminated 175 militants while also destroying terrorist checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs, military equipment and financial networks.
The military added that several senior terrorist commanders were killed during the operations, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the most prominent ISIS operatives globally.
It said al-Minuki played a major role in coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack planning, noting that his death would significantly weaken ISIS command structures and external operations.
Other insurgent leaders reportedly killed include Abd-al Wahhab, identified as an ISWAP commander linked to attacks and propaganda activities; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, a senior ISWAP member; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, a media production manager and close associate of al-Minuki.
The DHQ noted that the latest offensive followed Monday’s joint operation in the Marte axis of the Northeast, where Nigerian forces and AFRICOM confirmed the killing of 20 ISIS fighters.
It added that the renewed offensive underscored the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and deny them operational bases across the country.
