The United States has revealed that electronic devices and intelligence materials seized during a recent counter-terrorism operation in Nigeria represent the largest haul of enemy equipment recovered since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
U.S. Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, said an extra aircraft was needed to transport the devices captured during the raid, which he described as a major success against ISIS-linked militants.
According to Gorka, 199 terrorists were killed in a single operation in Nigeria, making it the biggest enemy neutralisation in one raid since 9/11. He said American intelligence experts are currently analysing the seized materials to understand ISIS communications and networks.
Describing the mission as “like a Tom Clancy movie”, Gorka attributed the rise of extremist groups in Africa to vast ungoverned spaces that allow militants to regroup after setbacks in the Middle-East.
He also disclosed that the Trump administration has eliminated more than 1,000 terrorists globally, and secured the release of 106 American hostages without paying ransom during its first 15 months.
The U.S. official stressed that Washington is deepening security cooperation with Nigeria and other African nations to prevent ISIS from rebuilding its influence on the continent.
