President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the elimination of a wanted ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuk (also referred to as Abu-Mainok), in a joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigerian and United States armed forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
According to President Bola Tinubu, the coordinated overnight strike targeted the terrorist leader’s compound and resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuk along with several of his lieutenants. He described the mission as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the region.
Tinubu stated that the operation reflects strengthened security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, praising the professionalism and courage of the troops involved. He also expressed appreciation for continued international support in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, noting that sustained pressure on terrorist networks remains critical across the Lake Chad region.
In a separate statement, United States President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, describing Abu-Bilal al-Minuki as the “second-in-command of ISIS globally” and one of the most active terrorist figures. Trump said the mission was a “complex, meticulously planned operation” executed by American and Nigerian forces, adding that intelligence sources had tracked the target’s movements.
He further stated that the operation has significantly weakened ISIS’s global operations and that the militant leader “will no longer terrorise people in Africa or assist in planning attacks.”
Trump also acknowledged and thanked the Nigerian government for its “partnership on this operation”.
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The Lake Chad Basin remains a key hotspot for terrorist activity linked to ISIS-affiliated groups and Boko Haram, with regional and international forces intensifying coordinated military operations in recent months.
The latest development is being described as one of the most significant counterterrorism strikes in the region in recent times.