Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, was killed in a joint operation conducted by U.S. and Nigerian forces in northeastern Nigeria. This operation, which took place in the Lake Chad Basin, was confirmed by both U.S. President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Trump announced the operation via a post on Truth Social, stating that it significantly reduced ISIS's global operations. He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission. President Tinubu characterized the operation as a "significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism," noting that early assessments indicated the elimination of Minuki and several of his lieutenants.
The Nigerian military detailed that the operation commenced at midnight and concluded around 4 a.m. on Saturday. They described it as a precision air-land operation conducted in coordination with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). The Nigerian army reported no casualties or losses during the mission.
Al-Minuki, a Nigerian national, had been designated a "specially designated global terrorist" by the U.S. government in 2023. His leadership role in ISIS was marked by the group's ongoing insurgency in Nigeria, which has been plagued by violence from Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement over the past 17 years.
This recent operation is part of Nigeria's broader counter-insurgency efforts, which have seen increased U.S. involvement, including the deployment of drones and troops for training and intelligence support against ISIS and al Qaeda-linked groups in the region.