The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said that 175 ISIS fighters were killed in north-east Nigeria during a recent joint counterterrorism operation involving Nigerian troops and forces from the United States Africa Command (US-AFRICOM).
In a statement on Tuesday, the director of defence information, Sumaila Uba, explained that the operation began a few days ago and was carried out in close partnership with US-AFRICOM, targeting ISIS elements in the region.
“As of 19 May 2026, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eliminated from the battlefield,” the statement reads.
“The joint strikes have resulted in the destruction of ISIS checkpoints, weapons caches, logistical hubs, military equipment and financial networks used to sustain terrorist operations.
“The operations have also resulted in the elimination of several senior ISIS leaders, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, one of the most significant ISIS operatives in the world.
“Al-Minuki played a central role in ISIS external operations, coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack planning targeting Nigerians and innocent civilians around the world. His death severely disrupts ISIS command, operational coordination and external attack networks.”
Uba added that a number of top commanders were among those killed, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was described as a major global operative in ISIS.
Al-Minuki was said to have played a key role in planning attacks, handling funding, organising logistics, and recruiting fighters both in Nigeria and beyond.
Uba said his death is expected to weaken the group’s leadership structure and disrupt its ability to plan and carry out attacks.
Other figures killed include Abd-al Wahhab, a senior leader of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, another high-ranking member; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, who was involved in media production and closely linked to al-Minuki.
Uba stressed that the operation reflects the continued determination of the Nigerian Armed Forces to pursue and eliminate terrorist threats across the country.
“The joint operations will continue to hunt down and destroy those who threaten our nation and regional stability,” Uba said.
KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu recently confirmed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed during a joint military operation by Nigeria and the United States.
