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| al-Minuki’s elimination during joint operation “greatly diminished” ISIS’s global operations and would prevent further terror against Africans and planned attacks on Americans. |
WASHINGTON, DC / ABUJA
United States President Donald J. Trump announced late Friday that U.S. and Nigerian forces successfully carried out a high-risk joint operation to eliminate Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally and one of the group's most active operational leaders.
In a statement published 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.”
Al-Minuki, also known by aliases including Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki and Abubakar Mainok, was believed to have been hiding in Africa. He played a key role in ISIS operations, particularly in the Sahel and West Africa regions, including coordinating funding and attacks. In the year 2023, the U.S. specially designated him as a Global Terrorist.
Trump emphasized that the terrorist “thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.” He added that al-Minuki’s elimination during joint operation “greatly diminished” ISIS’s global operations and would prevent further terror against Africans and planned attacks on Americans.
He thanked the government of Nigeria for its partnership in the operation and concluded with “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”.