The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Nigerian military have executed a new wave of coordinated airstrikes targeting the Islamic State in the northeastern region of Nigeria.
The latest bombardment follows the successful elimination of top ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was killed alongside several of his fighters on Friday.
An official statement from AFRICOM confirmed that no American or Nigerian personnel sustained injuries or were harmed during the aerial assault.
Providing further details on the operation, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that over 20 ISIS and ISWAP fighters were neutralized in the strikes.
Read Also: AFRICOM Releases Footage Of US–Nigeria Strike That Killed ISIS Leader [VIDEO]
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, explained that the mission specifically targeted insurgent camps in the Metele area of northern Borno, an area heavily flagged for terrorist activity.
He noted that the airstrikes were launched following verified intelligence reports that tracked the positioning and concentration of the insurgents within the locality.
The military high command emphasized that this offensive is a core component of its ongoing counterterrorism campaign in the North-East, which is designed to shatter insurgent logistics and eliminate their operational bases.
“The ongoing operations follow the neutralisation of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, remove them from the battlefield and deny the terrorists any safe haven within Nigeria,” the statement read.
The military leadership re-established its unwavering resolve to safeguard the nation’s borders, warning that insurgent groups will face unrelenting force.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” it added.
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