Washington, DC (US) [United States], May 16 (HBTV): US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that the US military, in coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, had eliminated the second-in-command of the global terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in a ‘complex and precise’ operation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the ‘second in command of ISIS globally’, was targeted in Africa, where he was allegedly hiding.
‘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. 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,’ the post read.
Trump also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission.
‘He will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans. With his removal, ISIS's global operation is greatly diminished. Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!’ the post added.
In June 2023, under then US President Joe Biden, the US State Department had designated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
He was identified as a leader of ISIS with multiple aliases, including Abubakar Mainok and Abor Mainok.
According to the State Department, individuals associated with ISIS are subject to sanctions due to their role in terrorist activities and the group’s global operations.
Last month, ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack that killed at least 29 people in Nigeria’s Adamawa state, according to a statement issued by the group on Telegram.
The attack took place in the Guyaku community in the Gombi Local Government Area, where armed assailants targeted residents, leading to multiple fatalities.
In December last year, the US also launched a strike against ISIS in northwest Nigeria, citing the alleged killing of Christians by the group.
‘Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist elements in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years,’ Trump had said in a previous post.
In June 2025, over 20 people were killed in a militant attack on the home village of a Nigerian bishop, days after he testified before the US Congress about the persecution of Christians in the country. (ANI)