US Official Claims 199 Jihadists Killed in Single Nigeria Strike
Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to President Donald Trump and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, revealed that American troops killed 199 jihadists in a solitary operation carried out in Nigeria.
Speaking on the broader US counterterrorism effort, Gorka emphasized that the administration is not engaged in nation‑building but will act decisively when Americans or Christians are threatened.
He said he watched the raid live from the Situation Room, likening the scene to a Tom Clancy thriller but stressing that it was real. According to Gorka, the neutralization of 199 enemies marks the biggest enemy killed in action since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Gorka added that the operation yielded the largest cache of enemy electronic equipment since 9/11. The haul was so substantial that an extra aircraft was required to transport the captured phones, laptops and other devices, which analysts are now examining to uncover ISIS recruitment, financing and operational networks across Africa.
It remains uncertain whether Gorka was referring to the May 15 joint US‑Nigeria strike that killed ISIS lieutenant Abu‑Bilal al‑Minuki or the May 30 operation that reportedly eliminated 21 ISWAP fighters.
President Bola Tinubu had previously said several ISIS lieutenants fell alongside al‑Minuki during the May 15 raid, and US officials confirmed the recovery of electronic material for further analysis.
Gorka explained that the focus on Africa stems from the continent’s growing Christian population, which jihadist groups view as a target, and from ISIS exploiting weak governance and existing conflicts in the Sahel to spread its ideology.
He concluded that the United States continues to pursue security partnerships with African nations and remains committed to eradicating terrorist threats worldwide.
About the Author
