Africa
Nigerian, US Forces Neutralize Senior ISIS Commander in Joint Counterterrorism Operation
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with United States Armed Forces, have successfully carried out a joint counterterrorism operation resulting in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by authorities as a senior ISIS commander and one of the world’s most active terrorists.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Major General Samaila Uba, the operation was conducted through a newly strengthened Nigeria-United States partnership focused on intelligence sharing and coordinated military action against transnational terrorist networks.
The Defence Headquarters described the operation as a major breakthrough in efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism across Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and beyond.
Senior ISIS Figure Eliminated
Military authorities said Abu-Bilal al-Minuki served as a key operational and strategic figure within ISIS, providing guidance to ISIS-linked entities outside Nigeria on media operations, economic warfare, weapons development, explosives and drone manufacturing.
According to intelligence assessments cited by the military, al-Minuki may have recently been elevated to the role of Head of the General Directorate of States as of February 2026, making him the second most senior leader within the global ISIS hierarchy.
Before that appointment, he reportedly served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks targeting civilians and minority communities.
Links to Boko Haram and Dapchi Kidnapping
The Defence Headquarters also linked al-Minuki to the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping, where over 100 schoolgirls were abducted in Yobe State.
Authorities further stated that intelligence records showed he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya between 2015 and 2016 in support of ISIS operations in North Africa.
Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, al-Minuki was reportedly recognised as a prominent leader within Boko Haram.
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment Against Terrorism
The Armed Forces of Nigeria said the operation demonstrates the country’s continued resolve to confront terrorism and prevent extremist groups from threatening national, regional and global security.
“This successful operation demonstrates Nigeria’s unwavering resolve to confront terrorism and deny extremist groups the ability to threaten national, regional and international security,” the statement read.
The military also praised the professionalism and dedication of personnel involved in the operation while commending continued cooperation with United States forces in the fight against terrorism.
According to the Defence Headquarters, ongoing operations will continue to focus on dismantling terrorist infrastructure, protecting civilians and promoting lasting peace and stability across Nigeria and the wider region.
Tinubu, Trump Confirm Elimination of Senior ISIS Leader in Joint Nigeria-US Military Operation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump have confirmed the successful elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, during a joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigerian and American forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
In separate statements issued on Friday, both leaders described the mission as a major breakthrough in the ongoing global fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
According to President Tinubu, the overnight operation was conducted through close collaboration between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States Armed Forces.
“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” Tinubu stated.
The Nigerian President said early assessments confirmed the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, alongside several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.
Tinubu praised the growing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States, expressing gratitude to President Trump for what he described as unwavering support and leadership in the joint effort against terrorism.
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives,” Tinubu said.
Trump Describes Mission as ‘Meticulously Planned’
President Trump also announced the operation in a statement, describing it as a highly coordinated and complex military mission personally authorised under his direction.
“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump said.
Trump described al-Minuki as the global second-in-command of ISIS, adding that intelligence sources tracked his activities despite attempts to remain hidden in Africa.
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” he added.
The US President further stated that the elimination of al-Minuki significantly weakens ISIS’s global operational network.
Major Blow to ISIS Operations
Security assessments indicate that al-Minuki was one of ISIS’s most influential figures, reportedly overseeing operations linked to media propaganda, economic warfare, weapons manufacturing and regional terrorist coordination across West Africa and the Sahel.
The extremist leader was also reportedly linked to ISIS-West Africa operations and had longstanding ties with Boko Haram before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015.
US authorities had designated al-Minuki as a specially designated global terrorist in 2023.
Strengthening Nigeria-US Security Cooperation
The operation is being viewed as one of the most significant examples of Nigeria-US military cooperation in recent years, highlighting increased intelligence sharing, training and coordinated counterterrorism strategies targeting extremist networks across West Africa.
President Tinubu commended the courage and professionalism of military personnel involved in the mission and pledged continued offensives against terrorist enclaves threatening Nigeria’s national security.
The Nigerian government reiterated its commitment to dismantling terrorist infrastructure, protecting civilians and restoring long-term peace and stability across the country and the wider Lake Chad region.
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