Nigeria, US Joint Airstrikes Killed 175 Terrorists – DHQ

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says airstrikes executed in close coordination with the United States Africa Command against ISIS terrorists in North East Nigeria have killed 175 terrorists.

The joint strikes started a few days ago with the elimination of ISIS’s second-in-command, among other terrorists in Borno State.

In a statement, the director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen.Samaila Uba, said the joint strikes resulted in the destruction of ISIS checkpoints, weapons caches, logistical hubs, military equipment and financial networks used to sustain terrorist operations.

He added that the operations also resulted in the elimination of several senior ISIS leaders, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, one of the most significant ISIS operatives in the world.

According to him, Al-Minuki played a central role in ISIS external operations, coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack planning targeting Nigerians and innocent civilians around the world.

His death severely disrupts ISIS command, operational coordination and external attack networks.

Other terrorist figures eliminated include Abd-al Wahhab, ISWAP senior leader responsible for coordinating attacks and distributing propaganda, Abu Musa al-Mangawi, ISWAP senior member and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, ISWAP senior media production team manager and close confidant to al-Minuki.

“As of 19th May, 2026, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eliminated from the battlefield,” he said.

The statement stated that the joint strikes have further reinforced what the Armed Forces of Nigeria have consistently done over the years, “hunt down and kill terrorists anywhere they are in Nigeria.”

He reiterated that the joint operations would continue to hunt down and destroy those who threaten our nation and regional stability.