The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters were killed during multiple joint air strikes carried out by Nigerian and United States forces in Metele, Borno state.
In a statement issued on Monday, Samaila Uba, director of defence information at the DHQ, said the operation followed the “observed convergence and migration of terrorist elements”.
According to the military, the latest offensive comes after the killing of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and eliminate their hideouts across the country.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.
“There will be no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria.”
The United States Africa Command (US-Africom) also confirmed the strikes on its website, saying the “kinetic strikes against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria” were conducted on Sunday in collaboration with the Nigerian government.
US-Africom said intelligence reports confirmed that the targets were ISIS militants, adding that no Nigerian or American personnel were injured during the operation.
“Intelligence confirmed the targets were ISIS militants. Complete assessments are ongoing. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed,” the statement read.
“The removal of these terrorists diminishes the group’s capacity to plan attacks that threaten the safety and security of the U.S. and our partners.”
Last Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIS’ second-in-command, was killed in Nigeria during a joint operation involving Nigerian and American troops.