Thursday, July 16, 2026

U.S.-Nigerian forces launch more airstrikes on ISIS camp in North-East

More airstrikes were launched in the North-East after the killing of ISIS’s top commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

• May 18, 2026
AFRICOM troops
AFRICOM troops [Credit: BBC]

More airstrikes were launched in the North-East after the killing of ISIS’s top commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

The U.S. Africa Command announced this on Monday. Mr Al-Minuki was killed on Friday by USAFRICOM.

“On May 17, 2026, U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, conducted additional kinetic strikes against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria.

“Intelligence confirmed the targets were ISIS militants. Complete assessments are ongoing. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed. The removal of these terrorists diminishes the group’s capacity to plan attacks that threaten the safety and security of the U.S. and our partners.

“AFRICOM remains committed to leveraging specialised U.S. capabilities in support of our partners to defeat shared security threats,” a statement on Monday said.

On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military, in collaboration with Nigerian forces, eliminated Mr Al-Minuki.

Mr Al-Mainuki, 44, is a Nigerian born in Mainok, Borno. The U.S. designated him a specially designated global terrorist on June 8, 2023.

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday commended the United States of America and the Nigerian security forces for the operation. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Delta State

States

Delta, electricity firm seal power transmission deal

The commissioner described the collaboration as a major milestone for the state.

Governor Mohammed Bago

States

NEC commends Niger projects during inspection tour

The Commissioner for Finance, Lawal Maikano, commended the team for the visit.

Delta State

States

Traditional institutions must shun politics, Delta monarch 

The traditional ruler urged the outgoing officials to continue to offer their experience and knowledge to the community.

Niger State

States

Niger pledges people-centred information management

The information ministry urged Niger residents to embrace constructive engagements.

APC LOGO

NationWide

Court orders parties to maintain status quo in Benue APC leadership suit

The Counsel to INEC, Oluwole Olukunle, however, said the commission had responded to the processes filed by the plaintiff.