United States President Donald Trump has announced that Abu‑Bilal al‑Minuki, the global second‑in‑command of ISIS — a designated terrorist organization responsible for widespread violence and human rights abuses — was killed during a joint U.S.–Nigerian military operation in Nigeria.
In a statement shared on social media, Trump described the mission as a “complex” and meticulously coordinated operation involving elite American forces working alongside the Nigerian military.
“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,” Trump said.
“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. He will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans. With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”
U.S. officials have not yet released additional operational details, but early reports indicate the mission involved coordinated intelligence sharing and ground support from Nigerian troops. The strike marks one of the most significant blows to ISIS’s leadership structure in recent years.
Trump also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation, calling the mission a “partnership success” and highlighting the growing security collaboration between Washington and Abuja.
Security analysts say the death of al‑Minuki could disrupt ISIS’s regional networks, though they caution that the group has historically adapted quickly to leadership losses. Nigerian authorities have not yet issued a formal statement on the operation.
The announcement comes amid heightened counterterrorism efforts across West Africa, where ISIS‑linked factions have attempted to expand their presence in recent years.
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