Nigeria-US Joint Strikes Eliminate 21 ISWAP Fighters in Borno – Presidency

Nigeria-US Joint Strikes Eliminate 21 ISWAP Fighters in Borno – Presidency

The Presidency has described the security partnership between Nigeria and the United States as a crucial step towards ending terrorism, banditry and other security threats across the country. The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated this on Tuesday during an X Space discussion. According to Dare, intelligence sharing, security cooperation and joint counter-terrorism efforts between Nigeria and the United States are essential in dismantling insurgent groups and criminal networks operating within the region. He said the Tinubu administration remains committed to restoring peace nationwide, protecting lives and property, and defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity against both internal and external threats. Dare noted that the expanding collaboration between the two countries demonstrates a shared commitment to addressing security challenges through coordinated operations, intelligence-led strategies and capacity-building initiatives. The growing security partnership has already yielded significant operational results. According to the Defence Headquarters, the collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has led to intelligence sharing, joint operations and capacity building aimed at defeating terrorism in the country. The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed during the same X Space discussion that the partnership has significantly enhanced intelligence sharing, capacity building, training, strategic communication, logistics support and operational effectiveness in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.

Recent collaborative efforts have contributed to improved intelligence-driven operations leading to the disruption of terrorist networks. The Defence Headquarters reported “the neutralization of several high-value terrorist commanders and about 200 fighters, the destruction of terrorist enclaves and logistics infrastructure, as well as enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.” The partnership has also strengthened the operational readiness of Nigerian troops through specialized training programmes, intelligence fusion initiatives, joint planning engagements and professional military education. In a significant development, the strategic partnership has led to the elimination of a senior global ISIS leader operating from within Nigeria. AFRICOM’s Director of Public Affairs, Colonel Rebecca Heyse, disclosed that operations conducted jointly by Nigerian and US forces led to the elimination of ISIS global second-in-command, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, alongside several key operational and media leaders. She confirmed that more than 200 ISIS fighters were eliminated during these operations, while terrorist checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs and training sites were destroyed.

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The nature of the security cooperation has evolved significantly. For years, US-Nigeria security cooperation focused primarily on capacity building, including training Nigerian troops, donating equipment, and sharing general intelligence. Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, that partnership has entered a more operational phase, with emphasis shifting to real-time intelligence fusion, precision strikes, and the targeting of high-value terrorist commanders. This shift was dramatically demonstrated in late May 2026 when a joint precision operation in Arege, Borno State, eliminated 21 ISWAP fighters in a strike coordinated by the Nigerian Air Force and US Africa Command. Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets had observed terrorists assembling in Arege for possible attacks, leading to an operation where data was fused with US AFRICOM satellite imagery and signals intelligence. All 21 targets were neutralised with no civilian casualties reported, demonstrating improved targeting, better coordination, and reduced collateral damage.

The strengthened security cooperation is underpinned by sustained high-level diplomatic engagements. In January 2026, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, hosted a high-level US delegation led by Allison Hooker for a strategic security parley. The meeting, attended by Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Service Chiefs and Heads of the Intelligence Community, focused on enhancing the fight against insurgency, strengthening community protection mechanisms and consolidating intelligence cooperation between both nations. Both delegations agreed on the importance of sustaining and deepening bilateral ties, particularly through leveraging US support in key areas such as defence articles, capacity building and training, intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism financing measures, and mutual legal assistance. The US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework, established following the partnership’s intensification, now serves as the primary mechanism for coordinating joint counter-terrorism operations.

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The United States has demonstrated its commitment through substantial logistical and material support. AFRICOM has announced the delivery of military supplies to Nigerian partners in Abuja, with the command stating that “this delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasises our shared security partnership.” While specific details of the equipment transferred were not disclosed, the delivery comes against the backdrop of intensified Nigerian military operations targeting terrorist networks across multiple regions. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has clarified the nature of the joint operations, stating that “it’s Nigeria that provided the intelligence” for recent strikes and confirming that President Tinubu “gave the go-ahead” for the operations. Tuggar emphasized that these are joint operations and “not targeting any religion nor simply in the name of one religion or the other.” He indicated that further strikes are expected, describing the cooperation as “an on-going thing.”

Responding to questions about the partnership’s impact on national sovereignty, AFRICOM’s Director of Public Affairs, Colonel Rebecca Heyse, stated that US cooperation with Nigeria is based on mutual interests and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty. “Our operations and cooperation with Nigeria are rooted in fundamental respect for Nigerian sovereignty,” she said. “We operate strictly by invitation and under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework.” According to her, the United States will continue to support Nigeria as long as both countries consider the partnership beneficial in addressing shared security threats. “As long as there are shared security threats and the framework continues to be of value to both countries, the United States remains committed to the partnership,” she added.

Major General Uba emphasized that Nigeria is pursuing a whole-of-society approach involving religious leaders, traditional institutions, civil society groups, government agencies and economic empowerment programmes to address the root causes of radicalisation. “Terrorism cannot be defeated by kinetic (military offensives) means alone,” he stated. “Non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, economic empowerment, strategic communication and the involvement of religious and traditional leaders are equally important.” This comprehensive strategy has yielded measurable results. Since 2023, over 104,000 former Boko Haram terrorists and dependents have surrendered under Operation Safe Corridor, with many citing sustained pressure and loss of commanders as reasons for laying down arms. Civilian deaths from insurgency in the Lake Chad region have fallen from 1,842 in 2022 to 623 in 2024, representing a 66 per cent drop.

The presidential aide also expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation and fake news on digital platforms, warning that such content could weaken national security and erode public trust. He cautioned that the circulation of unverified information could heighten social tensions, trigger unrest and create unnecessary panic among citizens. “The deliberate spread of false information can create unnecessary panic, provoke disorder and threaten national cohesion. Nigerians must remain vigilant and avoid becoming tools in the dissemination of content capable of destabilising the country,” he said. He urged citizens, media organisations and social media users to verify information before sharing it, stressing that responsible communication is essential for maintaining peace, unity and confidence in democratic institutions. Dare further emphasized that national security should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of government agencies, adding that the media, civil society groups and citizens all have critical roles to play in protecting the country.

The Nigeria-US security partnership has evolved from a training-focused relationship to a robust operational alliance delivering tangible results against terrorist networks. With high-level diplomatic backing, substantial US logistical support, and respect for Nigerian sovereignty maintained through the Joint Working Group framework, both nations appear committed to deepening cooperation as they confront evolving security challenges in West Africa and the wider Sahel region. The evidence is clear: intelligence sharing, joint operations and real-time coordination are saving lives and degrading terrorist capabilities. As the partnership continues to mature, security analysts remain optimistic about the prospects for restoring peace and stability across Nigeria.

Nigeria-US Joint Strikes Eliminate 21 ISWAP Fighters in Borno – Presidency