By Emmanuel Nduka
Fresh airstrikes have been launched against ISIS targets in Nigeria’s North-East region, days after the elimination of the terror group’s top commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in a joint operation involving Nigerian and American forces.
The latest offensive was confirmed on Monday by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which said the coordinated strikes were carried out on May 17 in partnership with the Nigerian government and its forces.
According to AFRICOM, the operation targeted identified ISIS militants operating in the region, with further assessments still underway.
“On May 17, 2026, U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, conducted additional kinetic strikes against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria,” the command said in a statement.
It added that intelligence gathered before the operation confirmed the locations were being used by ISIS fighters.
“No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed. 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,” the statement noted.
AFRICOM also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting allied nations in combating extremist threats through specialised military capabilities and intelligence-sharing operations.
The renewed strikes come barely days after the reported killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a notorious ISIS commander believed to have coordinated several terrorist operations across the Lake Chad region.
Last Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces, working alongside Nigerian troops, successfully neutralised the insurgent leader during a targeted military operation.
Al-Minuki, 44, was reportedly born in Mainok, Borno State, and had long been on the radar of international counterterrorism agencies. The United States designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on June 8, 2023, over his alleged role in coordinating extremist activities and attacks in West Africa.
President Bola Tinubu had on Saturday praised both Nigerian security forces and the United States for the successful operation, describing it as a significant blow against terrorism and violent extremism in the region.
