President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that American and Nigerian forces have killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the "second in command of ISIS globally" and "the most active terrorist in the world." The joint military operation took place in Africa, targeting the senior leader of the Islamic State group. Trump stated that the mission was "flawlessly executed" to eliminate the threat posed by al-Minuki, who was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States in 2023.
Targeting IS Networks in Africa
Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was responsible for directing Islamic State-linked cells across Africa. His operations were particularly concentrated in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel region, with cross-border links extending into Niger, Chad, and Mali. He led the Islamic State West Africa Province, a group that has entrenched itself in these areas over recent years. The US president described the killing as a major blow to the group's African and global networks, disrupting its funding channels and command structures.
Context of US-Nigeria Military Cooperation
The Nigerian military has not yet commented on the raid or confirmed the details of the operation. The BBC has contacted both the US government and Nigerian authorities for further comment. This event follows a period of increased military cooperation between the two nations as they ramp up efforts to combat extremist violence. In April, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Nigeria's north-eastern Adamawa state where gunmen killed at least 29 people at a football pitch. Additionally, last Christmas, the US and Nigeria carried out a joint airstrike in Nigeria's Sokoto state targeting Islamic State-linked groups.
Historical Significance and Official Response
If confirmed, the elimination of al-Minuki would represent another significant setback for the Islamic State group. This follows the killing of its founder, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in 2019. Trump thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership in the operation, adding that al-Minuki "will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans." The president's message did not provide further specific details regarding the timeline or tactical execution of the joint mission. The incident highlights the ongoing focus of US foreign policy on counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa, where extremist groups continue to pose security challenges to regional stability.
