Nigeria says joint US strikes kill 175 ISIL fighters in country’s northeast | Armed Groups News
Joint US-Nigerian Military Action Claims 175 ISIS Fighters
By Al Jazeera Staff
Published May 20, 2026
Nigerian military forces, in collaboration with the United States, reported the elimination of 175 ISIS fighters during a series of coordinated strikes in the northeastern region of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters announced on Tuesday that the operations, executed with the US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM), targeted and dismantled significant assets of ISIS and its affiliate, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These operations resulted in the destruction of checkpoints, weapon caches, logistics hubs, military equipment, and financial networks utilized by the terror groups.
“As of May 19, 2026, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eliminated from the battlefield,” said Major-General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for the Nigerian Defence Headquarters.
“The joint strikes have reinforced our ongoing commitment to hunt down and eliminate terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” Uba added.
This announcement follows a report from AFRICOM detailing strikes coordinated with the Nigerian government on May 18. The operations were also linked to the death of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIL’s second-in-command in West Africa, along with several of his associates. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed this development and expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his support.
“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage,” Tinubu stated on social media, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts against terrorism in Nigeria.
In addition to al-Minuki, the Nigerian military reported the killing of Abd-al Wahhab, a senior figure involved in planning and propaganda for ISWAP. Two other ISWAP members, Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, were also confirmed killed.
Following significant setbacks in the Middle East, ISIS has increasingly focused its activities on Africa, which accounted for 86% of the group’s global operations in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project.
The US had previously announced the deployment of troops to Nigeria in February, primarily in an advisory and training capacity. The recent joint operations indicate a shift towards more active US involvement in combating terrorism in the region.
