The Defence Headquarters has said Nigerian troops, in collaboration with the United States Africa Command, killed more than 20 Islamic State West Africa Province fighters during coordinated air strikes in Borno State.

The operation was carried out in the Metele area following intelligence reports on the movement and convergence of terrorist elements in the region.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, said the strikes formed part of ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and denying insurgents safe haven in the North-East.

“The Defence Headquarters, in close coordination with United States Africa Command, wish to update the general public on the continuation of coordinated operations against ISIS militants across North-East Nigeria, with additional air strike operations successfully executed in the general area of Metele.

“Following observed convergence and migration of terrorist elements, multiple air strikes were conducted, resulting in the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters,” the statement read.

The military said the operations were designed to disrupt terrorist activities, remove fighters from the battlefield and prevent insurgents from regrouping.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation,” the statement added.

Uba also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to combating terrorism across the country.

“Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for all terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.

The latest operation comes days after President Bola Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump confirmed the killing of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki during a joint counterterrorism operation involving Nigerian and US forces.

Trump had described al-Minuki as one of the world’s most active terrorists and claimed he was ISIS’ second-in-command globally.