Nigeria and the United States say they have killed a senior Islamic State (IS) leader in a joint-operation. 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.
IS has radically shifted in recent years, with around 90% of its attacks now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa. Its Nigeria-based branch is by far the most active. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the two countries had carried out a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to IS. Al‑Minuki was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023.
He was killed along with several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin, a vast region shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. A military spokesman stated intelligence had pinpointed Minuki's fortified base in Metele, Borno state, which has long been a stronghold for jihadist groups like Boko Haram and IS West Africa Province (Iswap).
The Nigerian military indicated that the operation began shortly after midnight and emphasized that there were zero casualties or loss of assets recorded. This operation exemplifies the enhanced cooperation between Nigerian and US forces against the backdrop of rising attacks by jihadist groups.
Al-Minuki had previously been promoted to the position of Head of General Directorate of States within the IS leadership, overseeing operations in the Sahel and West Africa, including targeting civilian populations and minority communities.
The military also associated him with the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping where more than 100 girls were taken by Boko Haram. Before aligning with IS in 2015, he served as a commander in Boko Haram, which has been waging a violent campaign to impose Islamic rule in Nigeria since 2009.
Trump described al-Minuki's death as a major setback for IS in Africa, potentially disrupting their command structures and funding channels. He thanked the Nigerian government for their partnership in counter-terrorism efforts. This military achievement comes as Nigeria increases its cooperation with international partners to combat the ongoing extremist insurgency affecting the region.
IS has radically shifted in recent years, with around 90% of its attacks now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa. Its Nigeria-based branch is by far the most active. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the two countries had carried out a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to IS. Al‑Minuki was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023.
He was killed along with several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin, a vast region shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. A military spokesman stated intelligence had pinpointed Minuki's fortified base in Metele, Borno state, which has long been a stronghold for jihadist groups like Boko Haram and IS West Africa Province (Iswap).
The Nigerian military indicated that the operation began shortly after midnight and emphasized that there were zero casualties or loss of assets recorded. This operation exemplifies the enhanced cooperation between Nigerian and US forces against the backdrop of rising attacks by jihadist groups.
Al-Minuki had previously been promoted to the position of Head of General Directorate of States within the IS leadership, overseeing operations in the Sahel and West Africa, including targeting civilian populations and minority communities.
The military also associated him with the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping where more than 100 girls were taken by Boko Haram. Before aligning with IS in 2015, he served as a commander in Boko Haram, which has been waging a violent campaign to impose Islamic rule in Nigeria since 2009.
Trump described al-Minuki's death as a major setback for IS in Africa, potentially disrupting their command structures and funding channels. He thanked the Nigerian government for their partnership in counter-terrorism efforts. This military achievement comes as Nigeria increases its cooperation with international partners to combat the ongoing extremist insurgency affecting the region.
