THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that 175 ISIS fighters were killed in recent counterterrorism operations carried out in north-east Nigeria by Nigerian troops in collaboration with United States forces.
In a statement to News Point Nigeria on Tuesday, the Director of Defence Information, Sumaila Uba, said the operations began a few days ago and were conducted in close coordination with United States Africa Command (US-AFRICOM) against ISIS terrorists operating in the region.
“As of 19 May 2026, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eliminated from the battlefield,” the statement said.
According to the DHQ, the joint strikes led to the destruction of ISIS checkpoints, weapons storage facilities, logistical hubs, military equipment, and financial networks used to sustain terrorist activities.
“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 statement added.
The military also disclosed that several senior ISIS commanders were killed during the operations, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally.
According to Uba, al-Minuki played a major role in ISIS external operations, overseeing terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics, and attack planning targeting Nigerians and civilians in other parts of the world.
“His death severely disrupts ISIS command, operational coordination and external attack networks,” the DHQ stated.
Other terrorist figures reportedly killed in the operation include Abd-al Wahhab, identified as a senior ISWAP leader responsible for coordinating attacks and distributing propaganda; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, another senior ISWAP member; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, said to be a senior member of the ISWAP media production team and a close associate of al-Minuki.
Uba noted that the latest offensive demonstrates the continued commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to pursuing and eliminating terrorist groups across the country.
“The joint operations will continue to hunt down and destroy those who threaten our nation and regional stability,” he said.
