The United States and Nigerian military forces have carried out a coordinated operation that resulted in the death of a senior Islamic State (ISIS) commander, according to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump disclosed that the mission was authorised by his administration and executed by American troops in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He described the operation as highly complex and carefully planned, targeting a top-ranking militant believed to play a major role in global ISIS activities.
The individual killed was identified as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was described as the group’s second-in-command globally. He had previously been placed under U.S. sanctions in 2023 over alleged links to Islamic State.
According to Trump’s statement shared on his social media platform, intelligence tracking and field sources helped locate the militant, who had reportedly been operating in Africa while attempting to evade detection.
He added that the operation significantly weakened ISIS’s international structure and reduced its capacity to plan and execute attacks, particularly against Western interests and communities across Africa.
The U.S. president also expressed appreciation to Nigeria for its cooperation in the joint mission, describing the partnership as an important step in ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the region.
Security analysts say the development reflects increasing military collaboration between Washington and African security forces as extremist groups continue to shift their operations across the continent.
