U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the global second-in-command of ISIS, was killed during a joint military operation carried out by American and Nigerian forces in northeastern Nigeria.
According to Reports, the operation took place in Metele, Borno State, an area long affected by insurgency linked to Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated groups.
Trump said the mission was “meticulously planned” and credited intelligence sources for tracking al-Minuki’s movements across Africa.
He praised both U.S. troops and the Nigerian Armed Forces for what he called a flawless execution of the operation, which reportedly targeted one of the world’s most active terrorist leaders.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also confirmed the operation, describing it as a major example of effective cooperation against terrorism.
Nigerian military officials said the overnight assault lasted about four hours and was completed without casualties or equipment losses on the side of the allied forces.
Al-Minuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, was designated a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” by the U.S. government in 2023.
Reports say he played a central role in coordinating ISIS activities in West Africa and the Sahel region, including logistics, propaganda, and weapons operations.
The operation reflects growing military cooperation between the United States and Nigeria in tackling extremist groups across West Africa.
Further report stated that Washington had recently increased intelligence sharing, drone support, and military training missions in Nigeria as part of broader counterterrorism efforts in the region.
