Nigerian, US forces kill over 20 ISWAP fighters in North-East — DHQ
Nigerian Troops, U.S. Command Strike Against ISWAP in Northeast
Nigerian troops, in conjunction with the United States Africa Command, have killed more than 20 fighters affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a recent coordinated air operation in the northeastern region of the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced.
The military operation took place in the Metele area, prompted by intelligence regarding the movement and gathering of terrorist elements in the vicinity.
Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, detailed the operation in a statement released Monday. He noted that the air strikes were part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist networks and eliminate safe havens for insurgents within Nigeria.
The military specifically targeted ISWAP fighters observed regrouping prior to the strikes. The DHQ described the operation as a significant success in the broader counter-insurgency campaign.
Moreover, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, together with the U.S. Africa Command, plan to sustain operations aimed at further degrading the capabilities of terrorist groups in the Northeast. These ongoing actions are intended to disrupt terrorist movements, remove fighters from the battlefield, and prevent future regrouping.
Maj. Gen. Uba emphasized that there would be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria, reaffirming the military’s commitment to uphold the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This announcement follows increased counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, marked by a recent joint operation that reportedly neutralized a high-ranking ISIS-linked figure in the region.
