Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian troops working alongside the United States Africa Command have killed more than 20 fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province during coordinated air strikes in Borno State.
The military operation targeted terrorist hideouts around Metele in Nigeria’s North-East after intelligence reports detected movement and gatherings of insurgents within the area.
In a statement issued on Monday, Director of Defence Information Samaila Uba described the strikes as part of intensified counterterrorism operations aimed at dismantling insurgent strongholds and preventing fighters from regrouping.
“The Defence Headquarters, in close coordination with United States Africa Command, wishes to update the general public on the continuation of coordinated operations against ISIS militants across North-East Nigeria,” the statement read.
According to the military, surveillance operations identified a fresh concentration of terrorist elements, prompting precision air assaults that neutralised dozens of ISWAP fighters.
Officials said the offensive forms part of sustained efforts to disrupt planned attacks, destroy operational bases and restore security in affected communities.
“Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities, and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” Uba declared.
The latest strikes come days after Bola Tinubu and Donald Trump confirmed the killing of notorious ISIS commander Al-Minuki during another joint operation involving Nigerian and American forces.
Trump had described the slain extremist as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and claimed the insurgent believed Africa would shield him from capture.
Security analysts say the renewed Nigeria-US military cooperation signals intensified international support for counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad region.
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Korede Abdullah 