MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA — Combined counterterrorism operations between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) have eliminated 175 Islamic State fighters across Northeast Nigeria.
The high-impact air and ground offensive successfully neutralised the global second-in-command of ISIS, along with several high-ranking regional commanders.
Elimination of Global Leadership
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that the precision campaign resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the global director of operations and second-in-command for ISIS.
Al-Minuki was killed on May 16, 2026, during a joint raid. He was responsible for managing the group’s international financing, media distribution, recruitment, and drone manufacturing logistics.
Additional Terror Commanders Neutralised
Sustained airstrikes over the weekend in the Metele axis further decimated the command structure of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Other top figures confirmed killed include:
- Abd al-Wahhab: Senior ISWAP leader in charge of attack coordination and propaganda operations.
- Abu Musa al-Mangawi: Senior high-profile field commander.
- Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir: Media production chief and trusted operational confidant to al-Minuki.
Strategic Assets Destroyed
Official assessments released on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, reveal that the offensive systematically dismantled the infrastructural support networks of the insurgents.
The joint strikes destroyed multiple terrorist checkpoints, weapons caches, logistical hubs, and operational vehicles. AFRICOM confirmed that the missions were executed at the request of the Nigerian government, noting that no U.S. or Nigerian personnel were harmed during the operations.
