United States President Donald Trump has announced that American and Nigerian forces carried out a joint operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the “second in command” of the Islamic State globally.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, said the operation was conducted at his directive and involved what he described as a “meticulously planned and very complex mission”.
According to him, al-Minuki, whom he called “the most active terrorist in the world”, had been hiding in Africa before intelligence sources tracked his movements.
“He will no longer terrorise the people of Africa or help plan operations targeting Americans,” Trump stated, adding that the elimination of the militant leader had significantly weakened ISIS global operations.
The US president also commended the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the operation, although he did not disclose where the mission took place or the method used.
Al-Minuki, a Nigerian national, had been placed under US sanctions in 2023 over his links to ISIS. The US State Department previously identified him as a senior Islamic State leader based in the Sahel region and part of the group’s administrative structure responsible for operational coordination and funding.
The development comes months after the US launched strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria. Washington has also deployed drones and about 200 troops to support Nigerian forces with training and intelligence in the fight against insurgency across West Africa.
Nigerian military authorities had earlier maintained that US personnel deployed to the country were serving strictly in non-combat roles.
