Nigerian Military lauds joint US operation as a part of ongoing army marketing campaign to ‘search out and kill terrorists anyplace’.
Printed On 20 Could 2026
Nigerian forces working with the United States declare to have killed 175 ISIL (ISIS) fighters in a collection of joint strikes in the nation’s northeast in current days.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters mentioned on Tuesday that operations performed with the US army’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) destroyed checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs, army gear and financing networks utilized by ISIL and the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP), which has led a years-long battle within the area.
Really useful Tales
checklist of 4 objectsfinish of checklist
“As of 19 Could 2026, assessments point out that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eradicated from the battlefield,” Nigerian Defence Headquarters spokesperson Main-Basic Samaila Uba mentioned in an announcement.
“The joint strikes have additional strengthened what the Armed Forces of Nigeria have persistently carried out through the years – search out and kill terrorists anyplace they’re in Nigeria,” Uba mentioned.
The announcement comes after AFRICOM mentioned it had carried out assaults on Sunday in coordination with the Nigerian authorities. It additionally follows Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reporting that Abu Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIL’s second-in-command and often known as Abu-Mainok, was killed together with “a number of of his lieutenants” in a joint Nigeria-US strike.
The Nigerian Military mentioned al-Minuki oversaw key ISIL operations within the Sahel and West African area.
After the announcement of al-Minuki’s dying, Tinubu thanked US President Donald Trump in a publish on social media for his “management and unwavering help”.
“I commend the personnel concerned on each side for his or her professionalism and braveness, and I sit up for extra decisive strikes in opposition to all terrorist enclaves throughout the nation,” Tinubu mentioned.
The Nigerian army on Tuesday additionally reported the killing of one other senior fighter, Abd-al Wahhab, who it mentioned was accountable for coordinating assault planning and propaganda for ISWAP, in addition to two senior ISWAP members, recognized as Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir.
Since struggling main setbacks within the Center East, ISIL has pivoted in direction of Africa, which accounted for 86 % of the group’s international exercise within the first three months of 2026, based on disaster monitoring group Armed Battle Location & Occasion Knowledge.
The US introduced it had despatched troops to Nigeria in February, in what was deemed a principally advisory and coaching function, however the joint operations reported in current days seem to sign a extra lively US involvement within the nation.
