Tinubu hails joint Nigeria–US operation that killed ISIS senior leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), in a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

In a statement issued from Aso Villa on May 16, 2026, President Tinubu described the mission as a “significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.” He said the operation, executed overnight, dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State, marking one of the most decisive strikes against extremist networks in the region.

The killing of the terrorist kingpin was earlier announced by United States President Donald Trump, who said the operation was “meticulously planned” and successfully executed by American troops alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Trump stated that the elimination of al-Minuki would significantly weaken ISIS’s global operational structure and reduce the group’s influence in Africa and beyond.

Early assessments confirmed that al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was a Nigerian-born extremist from Mainok, Borno State. Security reports identified him as one of the most influential ISIS commanders operating within Africa, particularly in the Lake Chad region. He reportedly served as a top leader within the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and oversaw operations linked to ISIS’s General Directorate of Provinces, coordinating funding, logistics, and operational guidance for affiliated terror cells.

The United States government had designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in June 2023 over allegations of coordinating kidnappings, armed attacks, and extortion activities across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

Security analysts described his death as one of the most significant counterterrorism successes recorded in Africa in recent years, noting that the development could weaken ISWAP’s operational capacity across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

President Tinubu commended the professionalism and courage of personnel from both nations, emphasising that the success reflects the strength of Nigeria’s partnership with the United States in advancing shared security objectives. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining peace across Nigeria’s northern and border regions, pledging continued collaboration with global partners to eradicate terrorism.