United States President Donald Trump and President Bola Tinubu confirmed yesterday that Nigerian and American forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS globally, in a joint military operation at his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.
Trump announced the killing in the early hours of yesterday, describing it as a flawlessly executed, meticulously planned and complex mission. He said al-Minuki, the most active terrorist in the world, believed he could hide in Africa but was tracked by intelligence sources. The operation greatly diminishes ISIS's global operations, Trump said.
In a statement from his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the gallantry of both armed forces and expressed appreciation to Trump for what he called unwavering American support for Nigeria's fight against terrorism. The president said early assessments confirmed al-Minuki's elimination along with several of his lieutenants during the strike on his Lake Chad residence.
The Presidency justified the operation as intelligence-driven and the result of prolonged Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance efforts, supported by communications monitoring and phone intercepts that lasted over six months. Tinubu said the operation was a significant example of effective collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in fighting terrorism.
The announcement raised public confusion because the Defence Headquarters had reported al-Minuki's death in 2024. The DHQ clarified yesterday that terrorist commanders often adopt similar names and aliases as part of their indoctrination strategy to conceal their true identities. The individual eliminated in the latest operation was confirmed to be the same al-Minuki listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the Biden administration in 2023 over his links to ISIS.
Trump thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership in the operation. Tinubu said he looked forward to more decisive strikes against terrorist camps across the country in collaboration with the United States.
