DHQ: US Revelation on 199 Jihadist Neutralizations Traces Back to May Joint Op

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a clarification regarding recent statements from the United States concerning the elimination of 199 jihadists in Nigeria and the recovery of weaponry and electronic gear linked to ISIS. The DHQ stated that these comments do not pertain to a fresh military offensive. Instead, the information released by US officials is a declassification of specific details from a previously conducted joint counter-terrorism mission between Nigeria and the US, which took place in May 2026.

Major General Samaila Uba, who serves as the Director of Defence Information, highlighted that Nigerian authorities had already publicly acknowledged this operation. He added that the latest disclosures are derived from intelligence that was formerly classified. “This is not a new operation. We have previously communicated our highly successful joint operations in May. What you are hearing are some declassified information concerning our previous operation being given out now. However, Nigeria-US joint operations and collaboration are very much on course,” Major General Uba explained.

This clarification comes after remarks made by Dr. Sebastian Gorka, the US Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Dr. Gorka had described the mission as one of the most significant counter-terrorism efforts undertaken during the current US administration. He also underscored the extensive intelligence gathered during the operation, stating: “We needed an extra plane to bring home all the electronic material that we captured in those camps. The haul was three times bigger than any enemy electronics haul since 9-11. That is priceless because now our experts are taking apart all of that information, looking at how ISIS is communicating with each other.”

Dr. Gorka further indicated that the recovered intelligence would be instrumental in bolstering efforts against ISIS-affiliated networks, adding a resolute message: “We are not watching and waiting. We are dealing death to bad people.” He also pointed out that extremist groups continue to exploit ungoverned territories in various parts of Africa, particularly within the Sahel region, to regroup and expand their activities. According to Dr. Gorka, the ongoing collaboration between the US and Nigeria remains crucial for counter-terrorism initiatives, especially following the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Security after high-level discussions between both nations in late 2025.