Following the death of a regional deputy, joint operations claim another top strategist responsible for planning and logistics
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAssociated PressPublished: 1:40pm, 20 May 2026A joint operation by the United States and Nigeria against Islamic State fighters has killed 175 over the past few days, Nigeria’s military said on Tuesday, while the head of the US Africa Command said it showed the capabilities its forces could bring in Africa, home to the “epicentre of global terrorism”.
The US sent troops to Nigeria in February in what was deemed a mostly advisory and training role, but the joint operation signals more active involvement. The US Africa Command, or AFRICOM, confirmed the joint operation, saying no US or Nigerian troops were harmed.
Nigeria’s military on Tuesday reported the killing of another senior leader, Abd-al Wahhab, who it said was responsible for coordinating finance and attack planning and logistics.
Nigerian military spokesperson Samaila Uba said the strikes also destroyed weapons, checkpoints and financial networks of the militants across the country’s northeast.
Militant groups like Boko Haram and its Isis splinter group operate across vast areas in addition to numerous criminal groups specialising in kidnapping for ransom, generally called “bandits”. The crisis has killed thousands of people, according to the United Nations.
