Nigeria-US Joint Strikes Kill 175 ISIS Terrorists In Northeast

Nigeria-US Joint Strikes Kill 175 ISIS Terrorists In Northeast

Nigerian troops, working in coordination with the United States Africa Command AFRICOM, have eliminated at least 175 ISIS terrorists in a series of sustained counterterrorism operations across Nigeria’s North-East region, according to the Defence Headquarters DHQ. The military disclosed on Tuesday that the joint strikes, which began several days ago, dealt a devastating blow to ISIS and its affiliate, the Islamic State West Africa Province ISWAP, through coordinated air and ground assaults targeting insurgent strongholds. In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ said assessments conducted as of May 19, 2026, confirmed the deaths of 175 terrorists during the operations. According to the military, the offensive also led to the destruction of terrorist checkpoints, logistics hubs, weapons storage facilities, military hardware, and financial networks used to sustain insurgent activities in the region. The operation follows recent joint missions between Nigerian and U.S. forces that reportedly eliminated several top ISIS commanders operating within the Lake Chad Basin and surrounding territories. Among those earlier killed was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified by security authorities as a senior ISIS operative and one of the group’s most influential leaders in West Africa. The strike was described as one of the most significant counterterrorism successes recorded in the region in recent years. Military authorities noted that no casualties were recorded among Nigerian or U.S. personnel participating in the latest operations. The Nigerian government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying collaboration with international allies in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and violent extremism threatening parts of the country and the wider Sahel region. Security analysts say the renewed military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States reflects growing international concern over the expansion of ISIS linked groups across West Africa. The ongoing operations are expected to continue in a bid to dismantle remaining terrorist enclaves and restore stability to affected communities in the North East.