The Armed Forces of Nigeria have confirmed the killing of senior ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki during a joint counterterrorism operation carried out with United States forces.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the operation was based on coordinated intelligence sharing under the strengthened Nigeria–US security partnership and targeted one of the most influential figures within the global terrorist network.
Military authorities described al-Minuki as a key ISIS strategist who oversaw media operations, economic warfare, weapons development and drone technology support for affiliated groups operating outside Nigeria. His death is believed to have dealt a major blow to terrorist operations across Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.
The military also revealed that intelligence reports suggested al-Minuki may have recently risen to become the head of the ISIS General Directorate of States, effectively making him the second-highest-ranking figure within the global terror group.
Before then, he reportedly coordinated ISIS-linked activities across the Sahel and West Africa and was linked to attacks targeting civilians, particularly minority communities. Authorities also tied him to ISIS-West Africa Province and alleged his involvement in the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction.
The Defence Headquarters said the successful mission highlights Nigeria’s continued commitment to fighting terrorism and strengthening international security collaboration with the United States to dismantle extremist networks operating across the region.
