By Fatima Saka
The Defence Headquarters has announced a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism operations in Nigeria’s North East, revealing that joint airstrikes conducted with the United States have killed at least 175 ISIS terrorists.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the military said the coordinated offensive—carried out in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)—has dealt a “devastating blow” to the terrorist group’s operational capacity.
According to the statement, the strikes, which began a few days ago, have led to the destruction of key ISIS infrastructure, including checkpoints, weapons depots, logistics bases, military equipment, and financial networks used to sustain insurgent activities.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed that several high-profile ISIS commanders were among those eliminated, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the group’s most significant global operatives.
“Al-Minuki played a central role in ISIS external operations, coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack planning targeting Nigerians and innocent civilians worldwide,” the statement said, noting that his death has significantly disrupted the group’s command structure and international operations.
Other নিহত террорист leaders include Abd-al Wahhab, an ISWAP commander responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, a senior member of the group; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, a key figure in ISIS media production and a close associate of al-Minuki.
The military emphasized that the success of the joint operation reinforces the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to eliminating terrorist threats across the country.
It added that operations will continue until all elements threatening national and regional stability are neutralized.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with partners, will sustain the momentum to hunt down and destroy terrorists wherever they operate,” the statement concluded.
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