The Nigerian military has confirmed that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, working in collaboration with the United States Africa Command, carried out fresh coordinated air strikes in the North-East, killing more than 20 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the operation was conducted around Metele in Borno State after intelligence reports indicated the movement and gathering of terrorist elements within the area.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, the military said the strikes were part of ongoing operations targeted at dismantling terrorist networks and preventing insurgents from establishing safe havens.
“The Defence Headquarters, in close coordination with United States Africa Command, wish to update the general public on the continuation of coordinated operations against ISIS militants across North-East Nigeria, with additional air strike operations successfully executed in the general area of Metele.
“Following observed convergence and migration of terrorist elements, multiple air strikes were conducted, resulting in the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters,” the statement read.
The DHQ explained that the sustained military operations were aimed at disrupting terrorist activities, eliminating fighters from the battlefield, and stopping insurgents from regrouping.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation,” the statement added.
Uba also declared that terrorists threatening Nigeria’s peace and stability would continue to face relentless military action.
“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,” he said.
The latest operation comes shortly after the announcement by United States President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirming the killing of ISIS kingpin Abu-Bilal al-Minuki during a separate joint counterterrorism operation involving Nigerian and US forces.
Trump reportedly described the slain militant as one of the world’s most active terrorists and claimed he was regarded as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, adding that the terrorist leader believed he could evade capture in Africa.
