175 terrorists dead as joint Nigeria-US operations continue in North-East

The Nigerian military says ongoing joint counter-insurgency operations conducted with the United States Africa Command have eliminated 175 ISIS terrorists in North-East Nigeria.

Military authorities disclosed this in an operational update, saying the coordinated air and ground strikes commenced a few days ago as part of intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating within the region.

According to the military, the operations targeted terrorist enclaves, checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs and financial structures sustaining insurgent activities across parts of the North-East.

The authorities said the operations also led to the elimination of several senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally.

The military, according to a report a security expert, Zagazola Makama noted that Al-Minuki played a major role in coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack planning linked to ISIS operations targeting Nigeria and other regions.

Other terrorist leaders reportedly neutralised during the operations included Abd-al Wahhab, identified as an ISWAP commander involved in coordinating attacks and propaganda activities, Abu Musa al-Mangawi, another senior ISWAP member, and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, said to be a senior media production manager and close associate of Al-Minuki.

The military high command said the death of the commanders had significantly disrupted ISIS operational coordination and external attack networks.