Nigeria and U.S. joint airstrike kills 21 ISWAP terrorists in Borno.

A joint airstrike conducted by the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) reportedly eliminated 21 suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.

The strike hit a terrorist stronghold in Arege, Kukawa Local Government Area, on May 30. Intelligence indicated that insurgents were operating from the site.

Security analyst and counter‑insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, citing military sources, said the operation followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions that confirmed ISWAP presence in the area.

Sources indicated the target was a camp allegedly used by the terrorists to plan and coordinate attacks across the Lake Chad region.

The mission reportedly killed 21 insurgents and significantly disrupted the group’s activities in the area.

Military officials said the operation is part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, destroying insurgent hideouts and limiting their operational capacity in the North‑East.

They described the mission as intelligence‑driven and carefully executed to achieve maximum impact against the targeted terrorists.

Officials noted that the successful strike underscores the growing collaboration between Nigerian security forces and international partners in the fight against terrorism.

They expressed optimism that the operation will further weaken insurgent activities around the Lake Chad Basin, where terrorist groups have continued efforts to regroup and launch attacks on vulnerable communities.