The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has confirmed the death of one of its senior figures, Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki, following a recent United States special operations raid targeting the group’s enclave in the Lake Chad region of North-East Nigeria.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the confirmation was contained in a statement released through the terrorist group’s media channels, where it described members of its media unit killed during the operation as “martyrs.”
The development comes about two weeks after reports of a coordinated US special operations mission against an ISWAP media and command facility deep inside the Lake Chad basin.
The operation reportedly involved a precision airborne assault supported by surveillance drones, intelligence assets and attack aircraft targeted at high-value Islamic State-linked operatives.
At least three foreign ISIS-linked fighters were reportedly killed during the operation, alongside several women believed to be associated with the insurgent camp.
ISWAP, in its statement, acknowledged that al-Mainuki was killed during the raid while attempting to portray those who died as committed members of the group.
The group claimed that US forces had monitored the commander for months using drones before launching what it described as a major airborne assault.
It also confirmed that its media headquarters was directly targeted during the operation and that those present at the facility were killed.
Although ISWAP did not disclose the number of casualties, intelligence sources claimed that as many as 175 fighters may have been killed in the operation.
Security analysts believe the raid dealt a major blow to ISWAP’s media infrastructure and command network in the Lake Chad axis.