President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the death of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, popularly known as Abu-Mainok, following a joint military operation involving Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement he personally signed on Saturday, Tinubu described the mission as “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism” between Nigeria and the United States.
According to the President, Nigerian troops, working alongside the US Armed Forces, carried out “a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”
Tinubu stated that “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, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.”
📢 Stay Updated — Join Our WhatsApp Channel
💬 Be Part of Our WhatsApp Community
Join our WhatsApp Channel for curated updates, breaking stories, and exclusive insights from our newsroom.
📲 Join 👉 NRTC WhatsApp Channel
The President noted that the operation represented a major achievement in the ongoing security partnership between both nations and praised the troops involved for their bravery and professionalism.
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” the statement read.
ALSO READ
He further commended the military personnel who participated in the mission, saying, “I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”
The development comes as security forces intensify offensives against insurgent groups in the North-East and the Lake Chad region, where Islamic State-affiliated fighters have continued attacks on military facilities and civilian populations.
Earlier, United States President Donald Trump also confirmed the operation, describing Al-Minuki as “the most active terrorist in the world.”
“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 on Truth Social on Friday.
Trump said the slain insurgent leader, whom he referred to as the “second in command of ISIS globally,” believed he could remain hidden in Africa.
“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 said.
🔍 Explore More
- NRTC English Knowledge Base – Learn, improve, and sharpen your English skills.
- Top Stories From Around the World – Stay informed with the latest global news and insights.
- Specially Curated Listicles – Discover interesting lists, guides, and deep dives selected for our readers.
- Stay Updated: Join our mailing list and never miss the latest articles and updates from NRTC.
The US President added that the militant leader, who was sanctioned by the United States in 2023 over alleged links to the Islamic State group, would “no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”
He also stated that “with his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” while expressing appreciation to the Nigerian government for its “partnership” in carrying out the mission.
The operation highlights growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States as both countries step up efforts to dismantle extremist networks across the Lake Chad Basin and other parts of West Africa.
