A highly sought-after global terrorist was killed during a high-profile early morning operation yesterday, carried out by US and Nigerian forces together.
Donald Trump hailed the killing of IsisMastermind Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was blamed for planning the massacre and abduction of numerous Christians within the West African nation, was considered a success.
He stated on social media: ‘Courageous American troops and the Armed Forces ofNigeriacarried out a precisely orchestrated and highly intricate operation to remove the most prominent terrorist from the conflict zone.
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of Isis on a global scale, believed he could remain hidden in Africa, but he was unaware that we had informants who kept us updated on his activities.
US Special Forces units stayed on the ground in Lake Chad, northeastern Nigeria, where al-Minuki was killed together with several of his top commanders during the 1am operation.
U.S. officials reported that Special Forces along with Nigerian commandos conducted a helicopter attack and engaged in a firefight with approximately three dozen Isis militants located on two small islands in Lake Chad.
Aerial bombings were authorized to confirm that all the militants had been eliminated.
Videos published by the US Africa Command depicted planes attacking the area near a concrete structure prior to a large explosion that obliterated the shelter.
For many years, al-Minuki has remained one of the most sought-after individuals worldwide. A representative from the US Africa Command stated that he “offered strategic direction to the Isis global network concerning media and financial activities, as well as the creation and production of weapons, explosives, and drones.”
A report from Nigeria’s military stated that the operation started at 1 a.m. local time yesterday and concluded after three hours.
It stated: ‘The mission included multiple aerial vehicles operating in a coordinated air-land setup that blocked the terrorists from any means of retreat.’
The force stated that ground troops “are currently carrying out intense follow-up operations to eliminate known splinter groups and stop any efforts to regroup.”
America’s War Secretary Pete Hegseth stated: ‘In November 2025, President Trump informed the world that we would assist in safeguarding Christians in Nigeria and directed the Department of War to get ready for action. For several months, we searched for this high-ranking Isis figure in Nigeria who was targeting Christians, and we eliminated him – along with his whole group.’
The leader of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the raid as “a bold collaborative effort that significantly weakened the ranks of the Islamic State.”
Christianity and Islam are the two primary faiths followed in Nigeria. It is the most populous country in Africa, with a population of approximately 237 million.
Attacks driven by religious beliefs have increased in recent years.
In November of last year, 25 girls were taken from a Christian secondary school located in Kebbi state, and the vice-principal was killed.
Later in the month, 300 students and faculty were taken from a nearby Catholic school.
In April, Isis stated that they were responsible for the attack in which gunmen killed a minimum of 29 individuals on a soccer field in Adamawa state.
The United States continues to search for Isis leader Abdul Qadir Mumin, who is thought to be concealed in Somalia.
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