President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reacted to the reported killing of a top ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, during a joint military operation involving Nigerian and United States forces.
According to reports, former US President Donald Trump announced that American and Nigerian troops successfully carried out a “meticulously planned and very complex mission” that eliminated al-Minuki, described as ISIS’ second-in-command globally.
The operation was reportedly conducted in Africa after intelligence agencies tracked the terrorist leader’s movements over time. Trump praised Nigeria for its cooperation, saying the mission significantly weakened ISIS’ global network.
Reacting through the presidency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the collaboration between Nigerian security forces and international partners in the fight against terrorism. The Nigerian government also reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating extremist groups threatening national and regional security.
Although details of the exact location and operational strategy were not immediately disclosed, the development marks another major counter-terrorism effort involving Nigeria and the United States amid rising security concerns across parts of West Africa.
The slain commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, had previously been designated a global terrorist by US authorities and was linked to ISIS operations across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.