Nigerian Armed Forces, in coordination with the United States Africa Command, have carried out coordinated airstrikes in northeastern Nigeria, killing more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters in a major counterterrorism operation in Borno State.
The strikes, conducted on May 17 in the Metele general area, targeted converging terrorist elements linked to ISIS West Africa Province, a militant group responsible for prolonged violence across the Lake Chad Basin.
Military officials confirmed that no Nigerian or U.S. personnel were injured during the operations.
Targeted Airstrikes in Metele
According to the Defence Headquarters, the air operations were launched after intelligence reports detected movement and regrouping of insurgent fighters in the area.
The coordinated strikes successfully neutralised over 20 militants, significantly disrupting ongoing terrorist activities in the region.
Officials described the mission as part of a sustained effort to deny terrorist groups safe havens and degrade their operational capacity across Nigeria’s northeast.
Follow-Up to High-Value Target Operation
The latest strikes come shortly after a separate joint operation that reportedly eliminated senior ISIS figure Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in the Lake Chad Basin.
Security sources say the back-to-back operations reflect intensified collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against extremist networks in West Africa.
Military Statement on National Security
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing counterterrorism operations, stating that the Armed Forces will continue to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Officials emphasized that terrorist groups will not be allowed to regroup or establish safe zones anywhere within the country.
“There will be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” the military statement said.
Growing Nigeria–U.S. Counterterrorism Cooperation
The operations highlight increasing military coordination between Nigeria and U.S. Africa Command, particularly in tackling insurgency threats in the Lake Chad region.
Security analysts note that sustained joint air operations are aimed at dismantling ISWAP command structures and reducing their ability to carry out attacks on civilian populations.
