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The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday said joint counterterrorism operations conducted by Nigerian forces and the United States Africa Command had killed 175 ISIS terrorists in North-East Nigeria.
The DHQ disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba.
According to him, the coordinated strikes, which began a few days ago, targeted ISIS positions and operational 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 military said the operations led to the destruction of ISIS checkpoints, weapons caches, logistical hubs, military equipment and financial networks used to sustain terrorist activities.
The Defence Headquarters also confirmed the killing of several senior ISIS and ISWAP commanders, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally.
According to him, al-Minuki coordinated terrorist financing, recruitment, 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 terrorist figures reportedly killed during the operations included Abd-al Wahhab, said to be responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda distribution; Abu Musa al-Mangawi; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, identified as 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,” he said.
Uba said the joint operations reinforced the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to combating terrorism and restoring stability in the region.
“The joint operations will continue to hunt down and destroy those who threaten our nation and regional stability,” the statement added.
On Friday, United States President Donald Trump and President Bola Tinubu confirmed the killing of ISIS kingpin, Al-Minuki, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigerian and US forces.
Trump described the slain militant as the most active terrorist in the world and claimed he was the second in command of ISIS globally, adding that the terrorist leader believed he could evade capture in Africa.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters said Nigerian troops, in collaboration with the United States Africa Command, killed more than 20 Islamic State West Africa Province fighters during fresh coordinated air strikes in the North-East.
