The Defence Headquarters on Monday announced that Nigerian troops, working alongside the United States Africa Command, killed more than 20 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province during coordinated air strikes in North-East Nigeria.
According to the military, the operation was carried out around Metele following intelligence reports indicating the movement and convergence of terrorist elements in the area.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, the DHQ said the strikes were part of ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and preventing insurgents from regrouping.
“Following observed convergence and migration of terrorist elements, multiple air strikes were conducted resulting in the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters,” the statement said.
Joint Nigeria-US military operation
The military explained that the operation forms part of strengthened collaboration between Nigerian forces and US AFRICOM in combating insurgency and terrorism in the region.
The DHQ noted that the sustained offensive is designed to remove terrorists from the battlefield and deny them safe havens across the country.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation,” the statement added.
‘No safe haven for terrorists’
Uba stressed that security forces remain committed to tracking down insurgents threatening national stability.
“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,” he said.
The latest operation comes days after President Donald Trump and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed the killing of ISIS commander Al-Minuki during another joint counterterrorism mission involving Nigerian and US forces.
Trump described the slain militant as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and claimed he served as ISIS’ second-in-command globally.
Despite recent military gains, North-East Nigeria continues to face security challenges linked to insurgent groups such as ISWAP and Boko Haram.
Military authorities say intensified intelligence-sharing, aerial surveillance, and international cooperation remain key to ongoing counterterrorism operations in the region.
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