Nigerian forces in collaboration with the United States Africa Command have killed 21 Islamic State West Africa Province fighters in a precision air strike on Arege in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation, carried out on 30 May following intelligence and surveillance confirmation of ISWAP fighters in the area, targeted a terrorist camp allegedly being used by the insurgents to plan and coordinate attacks across the Lake Chad region.
According to counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama, citing military sources, the strike was carefully executed and intelligence-driven.
“The precision engagement resulted in the elimination of 21 terrorists and caused significant disruption to the operational capabilities of the criminal elements,” Makama said.
Military authorities described the mission as demonstrating “growing synergy between Nigerian security forces and international partners in combating terrorism and enhancing regional security.”
The Arege operation forms part of sustained US-Nigeria coordinated efforts aimed at degrading terrorist networks, destroying their sanctuaries and denying them freedom of action across the North-East theatre.
Military sources said the strike is expected to further weaken terrorist activities around the Lake Chad Basin, where remnants of insurgent groups continue to attempt regrouping and launching attacks on isolated communities.
The operation comes weeks after more than 20 ISWAP and ISIS fighters were killed in a series of joint US-Nigeria air strikes in Metele, Borno State. Major General Samaila Uba, director of defence information, confirmed that strikes formed part of sustained military efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and denying insurgents safe havens across the country.
Broader military operation context
The Arege strike is part of a larger joint military operation that commenced on 16 May 2026, involving special forces raids and multiple rounds of airstrikes against ISWAP and Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria. The operation resulted in the killing of ISWAP senior leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, alongside several other senior commanders, on 15 May.
By 19 May, Nigerian authorities stated that 175 ISWAP and Boko Haram militants had been killed since the beginning of the joint offensive. No United States or Nigerian forces were harmed in any of the operations.
US Africa Command has conducted multiple rounds of airstrikes, with operations recorded on 16, 17 and 18 May 2026. In each instance, US-Africom confirmed that intelligence verified the targets as ISIS or ISWAP militants and that the operations caused no friendly force casualties.
