Nigeria's Defence Headquarters announced on May 20, 2026, that combined operations with the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) have destroyed ISIL and its West Africa Province (ISWAP) checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs, military equipment, and financial networks.
“As of May 19, 2026, assessment results show 175 IS fighters have been taken off the battlefield,” said Defence Headquarters spokesman Major General Samaila Uba. “The joint airstrikes reinforce what the Nigerian Armed Forces have been doing for years – hunting and killing terrorists wherever they are in Nigeria.”
The announcement follows AFRICOM's confirmation of strikes carried out on May 17, 2026, in coordination with the Nigerian government. Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reported the elimination of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIL's deputy commander and also known as Abu-Mainok, along with “several subordinate commanders” in a joint Nigeria-U.S. airstrike.
The Nigerian military said al-Minuki oversaw key ISIL operations in the Sahel and West Africa. After the news of al-Minuki's death, Tinubu thanked U.S. President Donald Trump on social media for “steadfast leadership and support.” He stated, “I commend the personnel involved from both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to even more decisive strikes against every terrorist hideout across the country.”
On May 19, 2026, the Nigerian military also announced the death of another senior fighter, Abd-al Wahhab, alleged to have coordinated attack planning and propaganda for ISWAP, along with two senior ISWAP members, Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project, since suffering major setbacks in the Middle East, ISIL has shifted focus to Africa. In the first three months of 2026, Africa accounted for 86% of the group's global activity.
The United States announced it had deployed troops to Nigeria in February 2026, primarily for advisory and training roles, but the joint operations in recent days appear to signal a more active U.S. military commitment in the country.
