Nigeria, US Forces Kill Over 20 ISWAP Fighters In Fresh Operation — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that Nigerian troops, in collaboration with the United States Africa Command, have killed more than 20 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during coordinated air operations in the North-East.

According to the military, the operation was conducted in the general area of Metele following intelligence reports indicating the convergence and movement of terrorist elements within the region.

In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, the DHQ said the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and deny insurgents safe havens across the country.

“The Defence Headquarters, in close coordination with United States Africa Command, wish to update the general public on the continuation of coordinated operations against ISIS militants across the North East Nigeria, with additional air strike operations successfully executed in the general area of Metele,” the statement read.

It added that following surveillance and tracking of suspected terrorist movement, multiple air strikes were carried out, leading to the elimination of over 20 ISWAP fighters.

The military further explained that the sustained operations are aimed at disrupting terrorist activities, degrading their operational capacity, and preventing regrouping in affected areas.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation,” the statement added.

Maj. Gen. Uba reiterated that terrorist groups threatening national stability would be pursued and eliminated, stressing that there would be no safe haven for insurgents anywhere in the country.

“Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.

The development comes amid renewed counterterrorism operations in the North-East, following recent claims of high-value militant casualties in joint operations involving Nigerian and US forces.

US President Donald Trump and President Bola Tinubu had earlier confirmed the killing of an ISIS commander, described as a key figure in the group’s global network, during a joint operation.