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US-Nigeria raid kills IS leader
U.S. President Donald Trump said American and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, which he described as the "second in command of ISIS globally" and "the most active terrorist in the world" during a joint operation.
““Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission"”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the killing, saying Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, was killed "along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin".
The BBC reported that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed along with "several of his lieutenants" during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin, a region shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
The BBC also said a military spokesman stated intelligence had established Minuki had established a fortified base in the area - in Metele, Borno state, and that the operation began shortly after midnight on Saturday after months of intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.
Dispute over 2024 claim
Premium Times reported that Nigeria’s presidency said controversy over the killing of ISWAP leader Abu-Bilal Al-Mainuki was caused by "inaccurate information from the Nigerian military in 2024."
Premium Times quoted Tinubu’s spokesperson Bayo Onanuga writing that security officials now clarify that the earlier listing was "a case of mistaken identity or misattribution in the fog of sustained counterinsurgency operations."
The BBC said the Nigerian military previously claimed they had killed him in 2024 but backtracked on Saturday saying this was in fact a different fighter who was using the same alias.
In the same BBC account, Trump thanked the Nigerian government for its "partnership" and added that Minuki "will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans".
Next strikes and regional impact
After the joint operation, Tinubu told the Guardian Nigeria News he wanted intensified action, calling for "more decisive strikes" against terrorist strongholds following the elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Tinubu said he expects “more decisive strikes” against terrorist strongholds”
The Guardian Nigeria News also quoted Tinubu saying he looked forward to "more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation" after the operation that he said dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.
The BBC reported that the Nigerian military said "zero casualties or loss of assets" were recorded and described the operation as evidence of growing cooperation between Nigerian and US forces.
The BBC further said the move follows earlier comments by President Trump that Nigeria was not doing enough to protect vulnerable groups, including Christian communities, claims repeatedly denied by Nigerian authorities, who say violence affects people regardless of religion or faith.
