President Donald Trump and President Bola Tinubu have confirmed that U.S. and Nigerian forces have eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second in command of ISIS globally, in a joint operation around Lake Chad.
Trump announced the strike Friday night on Truth Social, saying American and Nigerian forces carried out a “meticulously planned and very complex mission” at 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,” he wrote.
“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,” Trump added.
He said al-Minuki “will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans” and that his removal “greatly diminished” ISIS’s global operation.
Trump thanked the Nigerian government for partnering on the mission.
The operation comes after a December 2025 U.S. strike in Sokoto State that targeted ISIS militants at Nigeria’s request.
U.S. Africa Command said that earlier strike was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities and killed multiple militants.
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In an X post early this morning, President Bola Tinubu said:
“Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
“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.
“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.
“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”
Nigerian officials have said recent strikes are part of ongoing security cooperation with the U.S., involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu met with U.S. officials in Washington this week to deepen counterterrorism partnership.
Crediblenewsng.com
