U.S. and Nigerian Forces Take Down ISIS Commander

President Donald Trump announced that Abu Bilal Al Minuki, who held the position of second-in-command for ISIS globally, was killed in an operation conducted by American and Nigerian forces targeting this prominent terrorist in northeastern Africa. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed the news of his death.

In a post shared on Truth Social late Friday, Trump described the details: “Tonight, under my direction, our brave American and Nigerian troops executed a thoroughly planned and complex mission to remove one of the world’s most active terrorists from the battlefield. Al Minuki thought he could evade us by hiding in Africa, but we had a source that kept us updated on his whereabouts. He won’t be able to terrorize Africans or plot attacks against Americans any longer. This marks a significant blow to ISIS’ global activities. I want to thank the Nigerian Government for their cooperation in this mission. God bless America!”

Trump also noted that several of Al Minuki’s lieutenants were arrested during the raid.

The Nigerian military reported on X that the operation, which took place in Metere, Borno State, commenced shortly after midnight on Saturday and was concluded within four hours.

According to their statement, “The operation involved coordinated air and ground platforms, leaving the terrorists with no escape options. It was authorized by the military high command, showcasing impressive organizational coordination and strategic planning that contributed to the mission’s success.” They highlighted that there were no casualties or property damage, a testament to the meticulous planning and execution that characterized the collaboration between U.S. and Nigerian forces in the fight against terrorism. Al Minuki was confirmed neutralized, along with several of his associates and combatants.

The ongoing insurgency in Borno has lasted 17 years, primarily driven by Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province, resulting in thousands of fatalities and displacing two million people, as noted by Reuters.

Al Minuki, a Nigerian citizen, was designated as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” by the Biden administration in 2023, according to U.S. Federal records.

This isn’t the first U.S. involvement in counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria. Back in December, the U.S. conducted airstrikes targeting militants linked to the Islamic State.

Moreover, Washington has been active in providing support, dispatching drones and 200 troops for training and intelligence assistance to the Nigerian military combating both ISIS and al-Qaeda-affiliated insurgents across West Africa.