Nigeria and the United States have announced the killing of a senior Islamic State (IS) commander during a joint military operation in the Lake Chad Basin region.
The extremist leader, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, was described by US President Donald Trump as the “second in command of ISIS globally” and “the most active terrorist in the world.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also confirmed the operation, describing it as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism.
According to both governments, al-Minuki was killed alongside several of his lieutenants during a coordinated strike on his compound located in the Lake Chad Basin, a region shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
The Nigerian military disclosed that intelligence reports had identified the terrorist leader’s fortified base in Metele, Borno State, an area long associated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Military authorities said the operation began shortly after midnight on Saturday following months of surveillance, intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.
Officials added that the mission recorded “zero casualties or loss of assets,” describing it as evidence of strengthening security cooperation between Nigerian and US forces.
Al-Minuki had been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States government in 2023.
The Nigerian military said he had recently been elevated to the role of “Head of General Directorate of States,” making him one of the highest-ranking figures within the global Islamic State structure.
Security officials linked him to extremist operations across West Africa and the Sahel, including attacks targeting civilians and minority communities.
Authorities also connected him to the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping in north-eastern Nigeria, where more than 100 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram fighters.
Before aligning with Islamic State in 2015, al-Minuki was reportedly a senior Boko Haram commander.
Boko Haram launched its insurgency in northern Nigeria in 2009 with the aim of establishing a “caliphate,” a system governed under strict Islamic law.
The group later pledged allegiance to IS in 2015 after former Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau reportedly released an audio message declaring loyalty to the terror network.
Analysts believe al-Minuki was originally from Borno State, with his alias believed to have been derived from Mainok, a town in the state, following local naming traditions.
The Nigerian military had previously claimed to have killed him in 2024 but later clarified that the individual killed at the time was another fighter using the same alias.
The military has faced similar situations in the past, including repeated announcements regarding the death of former Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau before his death was officially confirmed in May 2021.
President Trump described al-Minuki’s death as a significant setback for Islamic State’s operations in Africa and globally.
He said the operation disrupted the group’s funding channels and command structures, while also thanking Nigeria for its cooperation.
Trump stated that the militant leader “will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans.”
The announcement comes amid growing military collaboration between Nigeria and the United States as both countries intensify efforts to combat terrorism across the region.
In April, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Adamawa State where at least 29 people were killed at a football viewing centre.
Last Christmas, Nigerian and US forces also carried out a joint airstrike in Sokoto State targeting IS-linked groups.
Speaking recently at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Tinubu defended Nigeria’s decision to strengthen security partnerships with international allies.
“Security challenges will always be there, those are things you cannot do alone, you cannot operate the world in isolation,” he said.
“Even Trump as bold as he is, he’s in China, he’s talking about Taiwan, so who I am in Nigeria to say I will do it alone? I must embrace my neighbours. I must pursue pragmatic co-operation and partnerships, which is necessary to enhance the security of lives and property of our people.”
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