Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced the successful elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of the global Islamic State (IS), in a joint operation with US forces. Tinubu praised the operation as a strong example of cooperation in combating terrorism, dealing a significant blow to IS ranks. The operation targeted al-Minuki’s compound in the Lake Chad Basin, resulting in the removal of the wanted senior leader and several of his associates.
US President Donald Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, confirmed the IS leader’s death, highlighting the coordinated effort between American and Nigerian forces. Trump emphasized the strategic execution of the mission, noting the impact of eliminating a key terrorist figure. Al-Minuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, had assumed leadership of the IS branch in West Africa following the death of Mamman Nur in 2018, as reported by the Counter Extremism Project.
The successful operation was commended for its precision and professionalism, with both leaders advocating for continued collaboration in addressing security challenges. Tinubu called for intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist strongholds in West Africa, underscoring the importance of decisive actions against extremist threats. Al-Minuki, born in Nigeria’s Borno State in 1982, had been operating in the Sahel region and was previously sanctioned by the United States in 2023 for his extremist activities.
