A series of coordinated joint counterterrorism airstrikes conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) have neutralized 175 ISIS terrorists in the country’s North-East region, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Tuesday.

In an official statement, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that the high-impact operations have dealt a severe blow to ISIS and its regional affiliate, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Disruption of Command and Logistics

The aerial campaign, which commenced a few days ago, successfully targeted and dismantled critical insurgent infrastructure. According to military officials, the strikes destroyed:

• Terrorist-manned checkpoints

• Major weapons caches and logistics hubs

• Military equipment and vehicles

• Financial networks utilized to sustain regional insurgent operations

High-Profile Leaders Eliminated

The DHQ confirmed the deaths of several senior terrorist figures during the operation. Foremost among them was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified by defense officials as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally.

Major General Uba stated that al-Minuki played a pivotal role in ISIS’s external operations, directly overseeing international terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics, and the planning of attacks targeting both Nigerian citizens and global civilian populations.

“His death severely disrupts ISIS command, operational coordination, and external attack networks,” Uba stated.

The operation also resulted in the elimination of three other high-ranking commanders:

• Abd-al Wahhab: An ISWAP leader responsible for operational attack coordination and propaganda distribution.

• Abu Musa al-Mangawi: A senior member of the ISWAP command structure.

• Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir: A senior media production manager and close associate of al-Minuki.

Ongoing Commitment to Regional Security

The Defence Headquarters emphasized that the success of these joint strikes underscores the strategic partnership between Nigerian forces and international allies, as well as the ongoing commitment to eradicating terrorism within the nation's borders.

The military reiterated that counterterrorism operations will persist continuously until all factions threatening Nigeria’s national security and broader regional stability are fully neutralized.