US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that American and Nigerian forces had jointly carried out an operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, ISIS’s second-in-command globally.
Trump said the mission took place in Africa and claimed the operation had significantly weakened ISIS’s international network. He also thanked the Nigerian government for supporting the operation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the operation was conducted under his direction by American forces alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“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 wrote.
He added that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki believed he could remain hidden in Africa, but American forces had intelligence sources monitoring his activities.
“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," Trump said.
Trump further stated that the ISIS leader would no longer be able to “terrorize the people of Africa" or help plan attacks against Americans.
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished. Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" the US President added.
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki is believed to be another name used by Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, a senior ISIS leader linked to the terror group’s operations in the Sahel region of Africa.
According to US records, he was associated with ISIS’s General Directorate of Provinces and had several aliases, including Abu Bilal al-Minuki, Abubakar Mainok and Abor Mainok.
The US State Department officially designated him as a senior ISIS leader in 2023.
Reports said he played a major role in ISIS-linked activities in the Sahel region and was considered an important figure within the organisation’s international structure.
