WASHINGTON May 16, 2026 – President Donald Trump has announced that U.S. and Nigerian forces successfully carried out a joint counterterrorism operation, eliminating Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally and one of the group’s most active operational leaders.
In a statement shared via the White House on X, President Trump said: “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. Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.”
The operation targeted al-Minuki’s compound in the Lake Chad Basin in northeastern Nigeria. Early assessments confirm he was killed along with several of his lieutenants. No U.S. service members were harmed, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the mission as a “daring joint operation” that delivered a heavy blow to ISIS. “Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants,” Tinubu stated.
Background on al-Minuki
Al-Minuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, was a Nigeria-born senior ISIS figure believed to hail from Borno State. He had been under U.S. sanctions since 2023 as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for directing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa. Authorities linked him to attacks on civilians, including minority communities, and incidents such as the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping.
He oversaw global operations coordination for ISIS, making his removal a significant disruption to the group’s ability to plan and execute attacks beyond the region.
AFRICOM released footage of the operation showing targeted strikes on the compound in Borno State.
Reactions and Context
The strike highlights strengthened U.S.-Nigeria cooperation against ISIS West Africa Province (ISWAP) and affiliated groups, which have fueled instability, violence, and displacement in the Lake Chad region for years.
Some Nigerian social media users noted prior claims by Nigerian forces of al-Minuki’s death in 2024 operations, but U.S. and Nigerian officials today confirmed this operation’s success based on current intelligence.
President Trump and Nigerian officials framed the mission as a victory in the broader fight against global terrorism, with Trump emphasizing its precision and the protection it offers vulnerable populations, including Christian communities targeted in the region.
This operation comes amid ongoing U.S. efforts to counter ISIS remnants following the group’s territorial losses in prior years.
About The Author
