Nigeria-US ISIS operation killed 175 terrorists in the North-East, according to the Defence Headquarters

The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday announced that joint counterterrorism operations carried out by Nigerian forces and the United States Africa Command had killed 175 ISIS terrorists in North-East Nigeria.

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The disclosure was made in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.

According to the military, the coordinated operations began several days ago and targeted ISIS positions, operational bases and support networks across the region.

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

The Defence Headquarters said the Nigeria-US ISIS operation also led to the destruction of terrorist checkpoints, weapons stockpiles, logistical hubs, military hardware and financial structures used to sustain insurgent activities.

The military further confirmed the killing of several senior ISIS and Islamic State West Africa Province commanders during the operations.

Among those reportedly killed was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by the military as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally.

According to the Defence Headquarters, al-Minuki coordinated terrorist financing, recruitment operations, logistics and attack planning targeting Nigerians and civilians in other parts of the world.

“His death severely disrupts ISIS command, operational coordination and external attack networks,” the statement added.

Other commanders reportedly eliminated included Abd-al Wahhab, identified as a senior ISWAP leader responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda distribution, Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir.

The military described al-Muthanna al-Muhajir as a senior member of ISWAP’s media production network and a close associate of al-Minuki.

“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,” Uba stated.

The Defence Headquarters said the ongoing operations demonstrate the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to combating terrorism and restoring stability across the North-East.

“The joint operations will continue to hunt down and destroy those who threaten our nation and regional stability,” the statement said.

Last Friday, President Bola Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump both confirmed the killing of al-Minuki during a joint counterterrorism operation involving Nigerian and American forces.

Trump described the slain militant as the world’s most active terrorist and claimed he served as the second-in-command of ISIS globally.

According to the US President, al-Minuki believed he could evade capture by operating from Africa.

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On Monday, the Defence Headquarters had earlier disclosed that Nigerian troops, working alongside the United States Africa Command, killed more than 20 ISWAP fighters during fresh air strikes conducted in the North-East.