The Defence Headquarters has announced that joint counterterrorism operations conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with the United States Africa Command have resulted in the elimination of 175 ISIS terrorists in North East Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the coordinated strikes, which commenced a few days ago, also led to the destruction of terrorist checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs, military equipment and financial networks used by the insurgents to sustain their operations.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed that several high-profile ISIS and ISWAP leaders were killed during the operations, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally.
The military said al-Minuki was responsible for coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack planning targeting Nigerians and civilians across the world, noting that his elimination had severely disrupted ISIS command structures and external attack networks.
Other terrorist figures reportedly neutralized in the operation include Abd-al Wahhab, identified as a senior ISWAP leader involved in coordinating attacks and propaganda activities; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, another senior ISWAP member; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, said to be the manager of the group’s media production team and a close associate of al-Minuki.
The Defence Headquarters stated that the latest operation further demonstrated the resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to track down and eliminate terrorists wherever they operate within the country.
It added that the ongoing joint operations would continue until all threats to Nigeria’s security and regional stability are neutralized.
Major General Uba reaffirmed the commitment of the military and its international partners to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups operating in the region.
