The death toll of Islamic State fighters in Nigeria has climbed to 175 following joint airstrikes by Nigeria and the United States in the country’s northeast. Nigeria’s army spokesman, Samaila Uba, stated that over 175 ISIS militants were eliminated during the operations. The strikes targeted various locations such as checkpoints, weapons depots, logistics centers, military equipment, and financial networks supporting terrorist activities.
Military efforts against the jihadist insurgency, initially by Boko Haram and later by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), have resulted in more than 40,000 fatalities and the displacement of over two million individuals in Nigeria’s northeast since 2009. Collaboration between Abuja and Washington in the military domain has been strengthening over recent months. AFRICOM Commander Dagvin Anderson highlighted Nigeria’s crucial role in identifying targets, providing intelligence, and supporting missions during a congressional hearing in Washington.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of the global Islamic State (IS), in a joint operation by Nigerian and US forces. Tinubu praised the operation as a significant demonstration of effective counterterrorism collaboration, dealing a severe blow to IS ranks. The successful strike on Abu-Bilal al-Minuki’s compound in the Lake Chad Basin resulted in the elimination of the wanted senior leader and several of his associates.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the IS leader’s death on Truth Social, stating that American and Nigerian forces executed a meticulously planned mission to eliminate the world’s most active terrorist. Trump emphasized the flawless execution of the operation, underscoring the joint effort’s success in removing a significant threat from the battlefield.
