US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that American and Nigerian forces had successfully eliminated a senior leader of the Daesh group in a coordinated mission. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said: '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.'
Details of the Operation
The target was Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of Daesh globally. Trump noted that Al-Minuki believed he could hide in Africa, but US intelligence sources kept track of his activities. 'He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,' Trump added, emphasizing that Daesh's global operations are now significantly weakened.
Al-Minuki had been under US sanctions since 2023 for his ties to the Daesh group, which maintains a strong presence in parts of West Africa. The US State Department had designated him as a 'global terrorist,' describing him as a Sahel-based senior leader within Daesh's General Directorate of Provinces.
Nigerian Confirmation
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu confirmed the operation on Saturday, stating: 'Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.' The Nigerian defense forces described Al-Minuki as a 'senior Daesh leader and one of the world's most active terrorists.'
Nigeria has been battling militant groups, including regional Daesh offshoots and Boko Haram, as well as non-ideological violent gangs known as 'bandits.' Since late 2025, the US has pressured Nigeria to intensify its efforts against Islamist militants. On Christmas Day, the US conducted airstrikes in northwestern Sokoto State targeting fighters from the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISSP), which is usually active in neighboring Niger. Washington has since deployed hundreds of troops to Nigeria for support and training.
Operational Secrecy
Trump did not provide specifics on the type of attack that killed Al-Minuki, whether it involved airstrikes or a ground operation, nor the exact location of the strike. The US and Nigerian governments have not released further details, citing operational security.
