Tinubu Confirms Killing Of ISIS Leader In Joint Nigeria-US Operation
President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a joint military operation carried out by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
Tinubu, in a statement personally signed on Saturday, described the operation as “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism” between Nigeria and the United States.
The President said Nigerian troops, working alongside the US Armed Forces, carried out “a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”
According to him, “early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.”
Tinubu said the operation represented a major step towards achieving the shared security goals of both countries.
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” the statement read.
The President also commended the military personnel involved in the operation for their professionalism and bravery.
“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” he added.
The development comes amid renewed offensives against insurgent groups operating in the North-East and the Lake Chad region, where Islamic State-linked factions have continued attacks on military formations and civilian communities.
President Donald Trump had earlier announced the operation on his Truth Social account on Friday, describing Al-Manuki as “the most active terrorist in the world.”
“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.
Trump described the slain militant leader as the “second in command of ISIS globally,” saying he believed he could evade capture in Africa.
“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 stated.
The US President added that Al-Minuki, who was placed under American sanctions in 2023 over alleged ties to the Islamic State group, would “no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” Trump said, while also thanking the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission.
The joint operation highlights growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States as both countries intensify efforts to dismantle extremist networks operating across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
