NIGERIA: In one of the most significant counterterrorism offensives in recent years, Nigerian and United States forces have jointly eliminated about 200 Islamic State-linked terrorists and neutralised several high-profile insurgent commanders in coordinated operations across Nigeria’s troubled North-East.
The massive operation, which involved months of intelligence gathering, surveillance and precision strikes, dealt a major blow to terrorist networks that have terrorised communities in the region for more than a decade, reports Arise TV with additional report by The Nation.
Officials disclosed that the offensive not only resulted in the deaths of hundreds of militants but also destroyed critical terrorist infrastructure, including checkpoints, logistics hubs and operational bases used to coordinate attacks and sustain insurgent activities.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which confirmed the operation, described it as a product of extensive cooperation between American and Nigerian security agencies.
Rebecca Hayes, Director of Public Affairs at AFRICOM, said the success of the operation stemmed from sustained intelligence sharing and strategic planning between both countries.
According to her, the operation targeted key elements of the Islamic State’s regional network and significantly degraded its ability to launch attacks and maintain territorial influence.
The Nigerian military also confirmed the development.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the joint offensive led to the elimination of several notorious terrorist commanders regarded as high-value targets by security agencies.
Uba explained that the operation combined advanced intelligence support, surveillance capabilities and precision military actions designed to dismantle terrorist cells and disrupt their command structures.
“The collaboration has significantly weakened the operational capacity of insurgent groups and disrupted their activities across several locations in the North-East,” he said.
He reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustaining the offensive until terrorist groups are completely defeated and peace restored to affected communities.
The latest breakthrough comes amid intensified military campaigns against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East, the epicentre of a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions since the Boko Haram insurgency erupted over a decade ago.
Security sources said the joint operations began earlier this year following an invitation by the Nigerian government for enhanced military cooperation. The missions have largely focused on insurgent strongholds in the North-East, where extremist groups continue to launch attacks on civilians, security personnel and critical infrastructure.
In May, security officials reported that one of the most senior leaders of the Islamic State’s Nigerian faction was killed during a targeted military operation, a development seen as a precursor to the latest offensive.
Despite the recent successes, authorities warned that the threat posed by terrorist groups remains far from over.
Security experts note that insurgent organisations have increasingly adopted guerrilla tactics, relocating from traditional strongholds and spreading into new territories as military pressure intensifies.
The Defence Headquarters acknowledged that sustained offensives have forced many terrorists to abandon long-established camps and seek refuge in remote areas and neighbouring regions, complicating efforts to completely eradicate the threat.
The renewed military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States is expected to further strengthen ongoing counterterrorism operations, particularly in intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and precision targeting.
While reaffirming Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, U.S. officials clarified that there are currently no plans to establish a permanent American military base on Nigerian soil.
For many communities ravaged by years of insurgency, however, the latest operation offers renewed hope that the long battle against terrorism may finally be turning a decisive corner.
