The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says 175 ISIS fighters have been killed in recent counterterrorism operations in north-east Nigeria carried out jointly with the United States.
In a statement on Tuesday, Sumaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the operations involved coordinated strikes between Nigerian forces and the United States Africa Command (US Africa Command), targeting ISIS networks across the region.
According to the DHQ, the operations have been ongoing for several days and focused on disrupting terrorist infrastructure, including checkpoints, weapons storage sites, logistics hubs, and financial channels.
“As of 19 May 2026, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eliminated from the battlefield,” the statement said.
The military also reported the deaths of several senior figures, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as a key ISIS operative involved in external operations, financing, recruitment, logistics, and attack planning.
Other individuals named include Abd-al Wahhab, reported to be an ISWAP senior leader linked to attacks and propaganda coordination; Abu Musa al-Mangawi; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, said to be part of the group’s media production network.
The DHQ said the strikes also degraded communication and operational structures within ISIS-linked networks, adding that command and coordination systems were significantly disrupted.
The statement reiterated the Armed Forces’ continued counterterrorism efforts across the country, stressing that operations would continue against armed groups threatening national and regional security.
