The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has announced that more than 200 ISIS fighters were killed during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted in Northeast Nigeria in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
In a statement released on its official X account on Wednesday, AFRICOM said the operation targeted ISIS-linked militants operating in the region and led to the elimination of several high-ranking commanders, including a key figure identified as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.
According to the U.S. military command, neither American nor Nigerian personnel sustained injuries during the operation.
“AFRICOM, in continued coordination with Nigeria, conducted operations against ISIS fighters in NE Nigeria. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed,” the statement read.
The command further disclosed that the operation resulted in the deaths of more than 200 terrorists.
AFRICOM described Abu-Bilal al-Minuki as a major financier and strategic leader within the Islamic State network, alleging that he played a central role in coordinating and funding terrorist activities.
In an accompanying flyer, the command stated that al-Minuki was among several senior ISIS leaders killed during the mission.
“Our successful mission eliminated several key ISIS leaders, to include Abu-Bilal al-Manuki,” AFRICOM said.
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The U.S. military also claimed that the slain terror leader was instrumental in planning attacks against American interests and that his death would significantly weaken the group’s operational network.
“Manuki’s death disrupts ISIS operations around the world,” the statement added.
Although AFRICOM did not disclose the exact date of the operation or the locations where the strikes occurred, the announcement represents one of the most significant counterterrorism successes publicly reported by the United States in partnership with Nigeria in recent years.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had not issued an official statement confirming or commenting on the operation.
The development comes amid sustained efforts by Nigerian security agencies, supported by international partners, to combat insurgent groups in the Northeast, where factions linked to the Islamic State and Boko Haram continue to pose security challenges through attacks on civilians and security personnel.