The Nigerian military, represented by the Defence Headquarters, announced on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the success of joint and large-scale military and security operations executed in close cooperation with US forces through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which resulted in the killing of 175 elements of the Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast of the country.
The swift kinetic field assaults concentrated in the strategic Borno State near the Lake Chad basin, witnessing the elimination of several senior commanders and prominent officials within the terrorist organization. At the head of the deceased was the prominent leader “Abu Bilal al-Manki”, who is classified as the second-in-command in the global leadership structure of ISIS, having met his death in an initial intelligence-led operation last Friday, representing a decisive and painful blow to the organization’s command and control lines.
Coordinated Land and Air Tactics and Pursuing Isolated Pockets
The joint military operations combined concentrated airstrikes and intensive ground maneuvers over several consecutive days, specifically spanning the period from May 16 to 18. The Nigerian Defence Headquarters confirmed that the high-level coordination and precise air cover resulted in the successful achievement of all planned objectives, without recording any casualties or human losses among the participating Nigerian or US forces.
The military spokesperson explained that security operations are still ongoing and continuous to comb isolated pockets and pursue escapees, pointing out that these strikes constitute a major setback for ISIS influence in the region, where the faction has been active for years, exploiting its historical expansion and complex relationships with the extremist group “Boko Haram”.
Roots of the Conflict in Nigeria and Commitment to Strategic Partnership
The rebellion of extremist groups in northeastern Nigeria dates back to 2009, when “Boko Haram” led a bloody wave of violence, before the “Islamic State West Africa Province” (ISWAP) faction split from it in 2016 to pledge allegiance to ISIS, turning into the greatest threat to stability in the Lake Chad basin due to its advanced and organized military tactics.
Following this field success, both Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and US President Donald Trump praised the importance of joint bilateral military cooperation between Abuja and Washington. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to continuing the strategic partnership to combat terrorism, dry up the sources of violent extremism, and restore security and stability to the African Sahel region.
