The Defence Headquarters has revealed that 175 terrorists have been eliminated in during Nigeria and United States Africa Command joint military operations in North East.
Director Defence Information, Maj-Gen Samaila Uba in a statement issued Tuesday recalled that the joint strikes started a few days ago.
He added: “As of 19 May 2026, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eliminated from the battlefield.
“The joint strikes have resulted in the destruction of ISIS checkpoints, weapons caches, logistical hubs, military equipment and financial networks used to sustain terrorist operations.
“The operations have 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.
“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.”
Uba noted that 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.
He added 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 said the joint operations would continue to hunt down and destroy those who threaten the nation’s and regional stability.