Joint US-Nigeria airstrikes in northeastern Nigeria killed over 175 ISIS-linked militants, destroying terror infrastructure and targeting senior Islamic State leaders in a major counterterrorism operation across the Lake Chad Basin region.
More than 175 fighters linked to the Islamic State have been killed during a series of coordinated airstrikes conducted by Nigerian and United States forces in northeastern Nigeria, according to Nigerian military officials. The operation marks one of the largest recent offensives against extremist groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Nigeria’s army spokesman, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed on Tuesday that the military campaign resulted in the elimination of over 175 militants affiliated with the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). The joint operation reportedly targeted several terrorist strongholds, weapons storage facilities, and financial hubs used to sustain insurgent activities across the region.
According to the military statement, the airstrikes destroyed checkpoints, logistics centres, military hardware, and command facilities connected to extremist operations. Security officials described the offensive as a major success in the ongoing battle against insurgent violence that has destabilized northeastern Nigeria for more than a decade.
The northeastern part of Nigeria has long suffered from extremist violence led initially by Boko Haram and later by ISWAP, an affiliate of the Islamic State. Since the insurgency began in 2009, more than 40,000 people have reportedly been killed, while over two million residents have been displaced from their homes, according to figures cited by the United Nations.
Military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has increased significantly in recent months as both countries intensify efforts to dismantle extremist networks operating around the Lake Chad Basin. Intelligence sharing, surveillance coordination, and strategic air operations have reportedly strengthened the effectiveness of anti-terror campaigns in the region.
Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, praised Nigerian security forces for their role in identifying key militant targets and assisting in intelligence gathering. Speaking during a congressional hearing in Washington, Anderson stated that Nigerian forces provided critical operational support necessary for the success of the mission.
The latest air campaign comes shortly after Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced the killing of a senior global Islamic State figure during another joint overnight operation involving Nigerian and American forces.
Tinubu stated that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, was eliminated during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin area. The Nigerian president described the mission as a strong example of international cooperation against terrorism and said the operation dealt a severe blow to Islamic State leadership structures in West Africa.
According to preliminary intelligence assessments, several close associates and lieutenants of the senior militant commander were also killed during the strike. Nigerian authorities believe the operation has disrupted coordination among extremist cells active in the region.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the operation through a statement posted on Truth Social. Trump said American forces, alongside Nigerian troops, carried out a “meticulously planned and very complex mission” aimed at removing one of the world’s most active terrorists from the battlefield.
Security analysts say the intensified military partnership between Abuja and Washington signals a broader regional strategy to weaken extremist organizations operating across West Africa. Despite repeated military offensives over the years, insurgent groups have continued to launch attacks on civilians, security forces, and rural communities in Nigeria and neighboring countries.
Experts warn that while the elimination of militant leaders and fighters represents an important tactical victory, long-term peace in northeastern Nigeria will also require humanitarian support, reconstruction efforts, and economic opportunities for communities devastated by years of conflict.
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The Nigerian government has pledged to continue military operations against extremist factions while strengthening regional cooperation with neighboring countries and international allies. Authorities say further counterterrorism missions are expected in the coming months as intelligence operations continue across the Lake Chad region.
