Nigeria – United States Joint Strikes Eliminates 175 Terrorists 

By ZAKAA LAZARUS 

The Defence Headquarters has  announced major successes in continuing counterterrorism operations  in close coordination with United States Africa Command against ISIS terrorists in North East Nigeria.

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18 Terrorists Neutralised as OPHK Hits High-Profile Meeting Point in Borno By ZAKAA LAZARUS The Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has destroyed a terrorist enclave and neutralised over 18 fighters in Tumbunma Baba, Tumbuns area of Borno State. This was disclosed in a statement signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) OPHK, on 11 September, 2026. According to the statement, the operation involved a force package of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and attack platforms working in close coordination with ground troops of Sector 1 OPHK. The operation was based on credible intelligence gathered over the past weeks indicating the presence of high-profile terrorist elements using the islands as convergence points for meetings and logistics. The intelligence was validated through surveillance by Theatre Command and confirmatory ISR from Wednesday, 9 September 2026, which identified several terrorist structures and logistics hubs in the location. The kinetic operation was executed in the early hours of Friday, 11 September 2026. Following positive identification, air platforms engaged the designated targets with precision munitions while ground troops occupied likely escape routes for direct fire engagements. The statement said the air strikes successfully destroyed targeted structures and neutralised over 18 terrorist elements. A post-strike assessment indicated an estimated 85 per cent success in achieving the intended operational objectives. The Army noted that the operation dealt “a significant blow to terrorist activities in the area, disrupting their logistics and degrading their ability to use the enclave as a gathering and support base.” It added that the outcome underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, timely ISR confirmation, and coordinated air-ground synergy. OPHK assured that it will continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations “to deny terrorist elements the freedom to operate, regroup or establish logistics and support infrastructure across the Theatre,” working in concert with all security agencies and stakeholders. Members of the public were also encouraged to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security forces to support ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist activities across the North East Theatre.

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It will be recalled that the joint strikes started a few days ago. As of 19 May 2026,  assessments indicate that 175 ISIS terrorists have been eliminated from the battlefield.

According to a statement issued by the director Defence Information, Major  General Samaila  Una, said 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 said the operation  have also resulted in the elimination of several senior ISIS leaders, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, one of the most significant ISIS operatives in the world.

He said Al-Minuki played a central role in ISIS external operations, coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack planning targeting Nigerians and innocent civilians around the world. His death severely disrupts ISIS command, operational coordination and external attack networks.

According to the statement, other terrorist figures eliminated include Abd-al Wahhab, ISWAP senior leader responsible for coordinating attacks and distributing propaganda, Abu Musa al-Mangawi, ISWAP senior member and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, ISWAP senior media production team manager and close confidant to al-Minuki.

“The joint strikes have further reinforced what the Armed Forces of Nigeria  have consistently done over the years – hunt down and kill  terrorists anywhere they are in Nigeria. 

“The joint operations will continue to hunt down  and destroy those who threaten our nation and regional stability’ the statement averred.