Donald Trump announced on Friday that American and Nigerian forces had killed senior Islamic State leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki during a joint counterterrorism operation in Africa.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump described the mission as a “meticulously planned and very complex operation” carried out by US forces alongside the Nigerian military.
“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.
According to Trump, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was considered the second-in-command of the Islamic State globally.
“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,” he added.
Senior ISIS Figure Was Under US Sanctions Since 2023
Al-Minuki had been placed under US sanctions in 2023 due to his alleged links to the Islamic State group and its growing operations across West Africa and the Sahel region.
At the time, the US State Department identified him as a senior IS leader operating in the Sahel and part of the group’s General Directorate of Provinces — the administrative body responsible for providing operational guidance and financial support to ISIS affiliates worldwide.
Trump claimed the militant leader had played a role in planning operations targeting both African civilians and American interests.
“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump said. “With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”
Nigeria Continues Battle Against Militancy
Trump also thanked the government of Nigeria for its cooperation during the operation.
Nigerian security forces have been engaged in prolonged battles against extremist organisations, including regional affiliates of ISIS as well as Boko Haram. The country has also been combating violent criminal gangs commonly referred to as “bandits.”
In recent years, Islamic State-linked groups have expanded their activities across parts of West Africa and the Sahel, particularly in border regions involving Nigeria, Niger and surrounding countries.
US Pressure On Nigeria Intensified In Recent Months
Since late 2025, Washington has reportedly increased pressure on Nigeria to strengthen its response against militant groups operating in the region.
On Christmas Day last year, the United States and Nigerian authorities jointly carried out airstrikes in Sokoto State targeting fighters linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP), a group usually active in neighbouring Niger.
The US has also deployed hundreds of troops to Nigeria in recent months to support training and counterterrorism operations.
Trump, however, did not provide further operational details regarding the latest strike that reportedly killed al-Minuki. It remains unclear whether the mission involved airstrikes, ground operations, or intelligence-led targeting.