Air Strikes Pound ISWAP in Borno, Over 20 Militants Killed

"The Armed Forces will continue to aggressively defend the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens and communities will be located and defeated."

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the continuation of coordinated military operations against ISIS-linked terrorists in Nigeria’s North East, with fresh air strikes killing more than 20 fighters in Borno State.

In a statement issued on Monday, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the strikes were carried out in close collaboration with the United States Africa Command.

According to the statement, the strikes targeted terrorist in the general area of Metele following intelligence reports indicating the movement and concentration of fighters linked to Islamic State West Africa Province.

“The coordinated air operations resulted in the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters,” Uba said, adding that the offensive forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and deny them safe havens within Nigeria.

The latest strikes come on the heels of the recent neutralization of a key ISWAP commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in what military authorities describe as a significant blow to the group’s operational structure.

The Defence Headquarters reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The Armed Forces will continue to aggressively defend the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens and communities will be located and defeated,” the statement added.

Military authorities also reaffirmed that there would be no refuge for terrorist elements anywhere within the country.