More than 20 fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and ISIS were killed in coordinated air strikes carried out by Nigerian and United States forces in Metele, Borno State, as both countries intensified joint military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds in Nigeria’s North-East.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) disclosed on Monday that the operation targeted terrorist elements observed gathering and relocating within the Metele axis, a long-troubled border community near the fringes of the Lake Chad region that has repeatedly witnessed insurgent attacks over the years. The strikes, according to military authorities, form part of an ongoing offensive campaign designed to weaken terrorist networks, eliminate key commanders and prevent insurgents from establishing operational bases within Nigerian territory.
In a statement issued by Major General Samaila Uba, director of defence information, the military said the operation followed the recent killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as a senior ISIS commander and second-in-command within the terrorist hierarchy operating in the region. The DHQ noted that security forces remain committed to sustaining pressure on insurgent groups until they are completely neutralised.
“The ongoing operations follow the neutralisation of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, remove them from the battlefield and deny the terrorists any safe haven within Nigeria,” the statement said.
The military further reaffirmed its determination to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning that terrorist groups threatening national security would continue to face coordinated military action across all theatres of operation.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” the DHQ added.
The United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) also confirmed the strikes, saying the operation was executed on Sunday in collaboration with the Nigerian government. In a statement published on its official website, AFRICOM described the mission as “kinetic strikes against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria,” adding that intelligence reports verified the targets as ISIS militants.
According to the US military command, no American or Nigerian personnel were injured during the operation, while post-strike assessments are still ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage inflicted on the terrorist network.
“Intelligence confirmed the targets were ISIS militants. Complete assessments are ongoing. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed,” AFRICOM stated.
The command added that the operation was aimed at degrading the capacity of extremist groups to coordinate attacks against civilians, security personnel and allied interests in the region.
“The removal of these terrorists diminishes the group’s capacity to plan attacks that threaten the safety and security of the U.S. and our partners,” the statement added.
Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.
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