ISIS Deputy Commander Reportedly Killed in Nigeria-US Joint Operation, Trump Claims
By Ranti Thomas
United States President Donald Trump has announced that the second-in-command of the Islamic State (ISIS) has been killed during a coordinated operation involving American forces and Nigerian troops.
According to Trump, the high-profile militant identified as Abu Bilal al-Minuki was eliminated in a “complex and precision-based mission” carried out in Nigeria, targeting what he described as one of the most active figures within the global terrorist network.
The operation was reportedly executed after intelligence tracking efforts led to the militant’s location in northern Nigeria, where he was said to be coordinating attacks linked to ISIS operations in Africa.
Trump praised the joint effort, stating that the mission was carried out with support from Nigerian security forces and significantly weakened the group’s global structure.
The Nigerian government also confirmed that its military, working alongside U.S. Africa Command, successfully neutralized Abu Bilal al-Minuki during an operation in the Lake Chad region, a known hotspot for extremist activity.
Officials described the mission as part of ongoing joint counter-terrorism efforts aimed at dismantling ISIS-linked networks operating across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
Security analysts say the development marks another major step in intensified military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against extremist groups in West Africa.