AFRICOM, Nigerian Forces Kill Over 200 Boko Haram and Daesh Militants in Joint Operations

AFRICOM and the Nigerian military have killed more than 200 Boko Haram and Daesh terrorists, including senior Daesh leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in joint operations in northeastern Nigeria. The strikes targeted militant hideouts, logistics bases and operational infrastructure, significantly weakening terrorist networks. Both countries say the partnership has enhanced intelligence sharing, surveillance and counterterrorism capabilities as they deepen cooperation against extremist groups operating in the region.

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Nigerian military have announced the killing of more than 200 terrorists during a series of joint operations targeting Boko Haram and Daesh fighters in northeastern Nigeria.

In a statement posted on social media platform X on Wednesday, AFRICOM said the operations were carried out in close coordination with Nigerian security forces as part of ongoing efforts to combat extremist groups operating in the region.
“AFRICOM, in continued coordination with Nigeria, conducted operations against Daesh fighters in northeastern Nigeria,” the command said. “The targeted operations eliminated more than 200 terrorists, including Daesh leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki. No US or Nigerian forces were harmed.”
The Nigerian military confirmed the success of the operations, describing them as a major setback for terrorist groups active in the northeast. Defence Headquarters spokesperson Samaila Mohammed Uba said the coordinated strikes targeted militant hideouts, logistics hubs and operational infrastructure used by insurgents to plan and launch attacks.
According to Uba, the operations significantly weakened terrorist networks in the region and resulted in the deaths of more than 200 militants. He added that the partnership between Nigeria and the United States has strengthened the capabilities of Nigerian security forces, particularly in intelligence-driven operations, surveillance activities and reconnaissance missions.
Nigeria has been battling terrorism in its northeastern region for more than a decade, with Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Daesh, carrying out attacks against civilians, security personnel and public infrastructure. The insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, especially in the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
The enhanced military cooperation comes amid continued diplomatic engagement between Washington and Abuja over security challenges facing Nigeria and the wider region. It also reflects growing US efforts to counter Daesh-linked groups across Africa as concerns rise over the expansion of extremist networks on the continent.
In January, the United States announced plans to increase military equipment deliveries and intelligence-sharing support to Nigeria as part of broader cooperation with African partners engaged in counterterrorism operations. The initiative is intended to improve the effectiveness of Nigerian military operations and strengthen regional security efforts against armed extremist groups.
Despite both countries expressing a commitment to deeper security cooperation, some tensions have remained in bilateral relations. President Donald Trump previously accused Nigeria of mass killings of Christians, allegations that Nigerian authorities strongly rejected, arguing that the country’s security challenges are driven by a complex mix of terrorism, banditry and criminal violence rather than religious persecution alone.
Nigeria is almost evenly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south. Security analysts have often warned against viewing the country's conflicts solely through a religious lens, noting that socioeconomic factors, governance challenges and extremist ideologies also play significant roles.
The United States has said its intelligence assistance will focus on supporting Nigerian air operations in the northwest and northeast, where armed groups and terrorist organizations have remained active despite years of military offensives. The latest joint operations highlight the growing military partnership between the two countries as they seek to dismantle terrorist networks and improve security in affected regions. :::