U.S. and Nigerian Forces Team Up in Deadly Airstrike, Taking Down Over 20 ISWAP Fighters.

On Monday, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters announced that its troops, in partnership with the U.S. Africa Command, carried out a joint airstrike that killed more than 20 militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the country’s Northeast.

The precision strikes reportedly hit insurgent hideouts near Metele in Borno State, following intelligence that fighters had been gathering and moving through the area.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, explained that the operation was part of an ongoing push to break up terrorist networks, destroy their strongholds, and stop them from regrouping.

“The Defence Headquarters, in close coordination with United States Africa Command, wishes to update the public on the continuation of coordinated operations against ISIS militants across North-East Nigeria,” the statement read.

According to the military, surveillance first spotted a fresh buildup of terrorists, which led to a series of carefully planned air raids that wiped out dozens of ISWAP fighters. Officials say the offensive is part of a larger counterterrorism strategy aimed at clearing insurgents from their hideouts, disrupting planned attacks, and bringing back security to local communities.

Reaffirming the military’s commitment, Uba said Nigeria’s armed forces would continue aggressive operations to protect the nation’s sovereignty.

“Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities, and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” he declared.

This latest action comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the killing of a notorious ISIS commander, Al-Minuki, in another joint U.S.-Nigeria mission. Trump described Al-Minuki as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and claimed he was seen as ISIS’s second in command globally, adding that the militant had believed Africa would keep him safe from capture.