Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media
Nigeria's Defence Headquarters has announced that a series of coordinated air and ground strikes conducted in collaboration with the United States Africa Command have resulted in the elimination of 175 Islamic State militants in the North-East, including several senior commanders.
Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, briefed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the operations as a "decisive blow" to the operational capacity of the Islamic State West Africa Province. The strikes, which took place over several days across Borno and Yobe states, destroyed multiple checkpoints, weapons and ammunition caches, improvised explosive device manufacturing facilities, logistics hubs, and financing networks used by the terror group.
"These operations were intelligence-driven and precision-guided. The targets were identified through sustained surveillance and collaboration with our partners. The 175 neutralised fighters include senior commanders responsible for planning and executing attacks against military and civilian targets," Onoja said.
The Defence Headquarters also cited data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which indicated that Africa accounted for 86 per cent of ISIS global activity in the first quarter of 2026. The intensified joint operations are part of a broader strategy to degrade ISIS capabilities on the continent and prevent the group from establishing a new strategic base after setbacks in the Middle East.
The United States has increased its kinetic support for Nigerian counterterrorism efforts since President Donald Trump took office, designating Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern" and authorising direct strikes against high-value ISIS targets.
Prime Brief Media will continue to track security and rescue efforts across the state as this story develops.
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