Odita Sunday 
DHQ, US AFRICOM Intensify Coordinated Airstrikes Against ISWAP Terrorists In North-East
By Odita Sunday
The Defence Headquarters has announced the continuation of coordinated military operations against ISIS-linked terrorists in North-East Nigeria, with fresh airstrikes reportedly eliminating more than 20 ISWAP fighters around Metele in Borno State.
The operations, conducted in close coordination with the United States Africa Command, form part of sustained offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, eliminating insurgent commanders and denying extremists operational safe havens across the region.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the latest strikes followed intelligence indicating renewed convergence and movement of terrorist elements within the general area.
According to the Defence Headquarters, multiple air interdictions were subsequently carried out against identified terrorist positions, resulting in the neutralisation of over 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters.
The military high command explained that the latest operation builds on recent successes recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, including the elimination of notorious ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki during earlier coordinated offensives.
“The ongoing operations 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 noted.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defending the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security against insurgent and terrorist threats.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation,” Major General Uba stated.
The military further warned that terrorists threatening communities, citizens and national stability would continue to face decisive military action wherever they operate within the country.
“There will be no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Metele, located in the Lake Chad region of Borno State, remains one of the strategic operational corridors where troops of Operation HADIN KAI have continued to sustain pressure against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements operating within the North-East theatre.
The latest strikes come amid intensified counter-terrorism offensives by Nigerian forces supported by aerial surveillance, intelligence-sharing and coordinated multinational security partnerships aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities in the region.
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