From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), has intensified coordinated military operations against Islamic State terrorists in Nigeria’s North-East, recording the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters during fresh air strikes in the general area of Metele, Borno State.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military said the latest operation followed intelligence indicating the convergence and movement of terrorist elements within the region.
According to the DHQ, multiple precision air strikes were subsequently carried out against the identified terrorist locations, leading to the successful neutralisation of several fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The military high command noted that the sustained offensive forms part of broader counter-terrorism efforts to dismantle insurgent networks, degrade their operational capacity and prevent them from establishing safe havens within Nigerian territory.
The statement added that the latest operation came shortly after the elimination of notorious ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, describing the development as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to weaken the leadership structure of the terror group.
“The ongoing operations follow the neutralisation of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, remove them from the battlefield and deny the terrorists any safe haven within Nigeria”, it read.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defending the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of citizens across the country.
It stressed that military operations against terrorists and other criminal elements would continue with renewed intensity until lasting peace and stability are restored in affected communities.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated”, the DHQ stated.
Reiterating its resolve to sustain pressure on insurgent groups operating across the country, the military declared that there would be no hiding place for terrorists anywhere within Nigeria’s borders.
“There will be no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria”, the statement added.
