ISIS Global No. 2 Abu Bilal al-Minuki Killed in US-Nigeria Joint Operation, Trump Announces Major Counterterrorism Victory

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United States and Nigerian forces have reportedly killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of the Islamic State (ISIS) worldwide, in what President Donald Trump described as a highly sophisticated and meticulously planned military operation in Africa.

President Trump announced the development late Friday on his Truth Social account, calling the mission a major success in the global fight against terrorism.

“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.

The US president identified the target as Abu Bilal al-Minuki, describing him as the second-in-command of Islamic State globally. Trump added that the Nigerian-born extremist “thought he could hide in Africa,” but was ultimately located and eliminated through intelligence-led military action.

Al-Minuki was considered one of the most dangerous terrorist leaders in the world and had been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States in 2023 due to his senior leadership role within ISIS and its regional affiliates.

Security analysts say his death could significantly weaken ISIS’s operational capacity, particularly in Africa, where groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have carried out numerous attacks across Nigeria and neighboring nations in the Lake Chad Basin.

Although the exact location of the operation has not been officially disclosed, early reports suggest the strike may have taken place in northwestern Nigeria or in a broader region associated with ISWAP activities.

As of Saturday morning, the United States Department of Defense had not issued a formal statement detailing the mission. However, several international media outlets are reporting the development based on Trump’s direct announcement, and additional information is expected from both US and Nigerian military authorities.

Nigerian officials have yet to release a comprehensive statement regarding their involvement, but Trump specifically praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their role in the successful mission.

Counterterrorism experts describe the elimination of al-Minuki as one of the most significant blows to ISIS leadership in recent years. If fully confirmed, the operation could disrupt the group’s command structure and hamper its efforts to expand influence across Africa and beyond.

The joint operation also highlights the strengthening security partnership between the United States and Nigeria in combating extremist organizations that continue to threaten stability in West Africa.

Further details, including the exact location, tactics used, and whether additional militants were killed or captured, are expected to be released in the coming days.