The United States Africa Command has released video footage showing airstrikes carried out against Islamic State-linked fighters in Nigeria’s North-East region on Saturday.
In a statement published on its official website on Monday, the command confirmed that the operation was conducted on May 17 in collaboration with the Nigerian government. It added that intelligence reports verified the presence of ISIS militants at the targeted locations.
“On May 17, 2026, U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, conducted additional kinetic strikes against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria. Intelligence confirmed the targets were ISIS militants.
“Complete assessments are ongoing. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed,” the statement read.
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According to AFRICOM, the strikes are part of ongoing efforts aimed at reducing the operational strength of the Islamic State and limiting its ability to carry out attacks.
“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,” it added.
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The Defence Headquarters in Nigeria also reported that the airstrikes, carried out around the Metele area, led to the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters. This followed intelligence indicating a gathering of insurgent elements in the region.
The latest offensive comes shortly after the reported killing of ISIS leader Al-Minuki during a joint counterterrorism mission between Nigeria and the United States, an operation acknowledged by President Bola Tinubu and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump had previously described the slain militant as one of the most active terrorists globally and the second-in-command within the Islamic State hierarchy.
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