Trump claims ISIL deputy killed in joint US-Nigeria operation
Donald Trump announced the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIL leader designated as a global terrorist, following a collaborative effort with Nigerian forces.
US President Donald Trump has announced the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, alleging he was the second-in-command of the Islamic State (ISIL) globally. The announcement, made via a post on Truth Social on Friday, stated that al-Minuki was killed during a joint operation conducted by United States and Nigerian forces.
Trump described the mission as "flawlessly executed" and credited the Nigerian government for its partnership. He asserted that US sources had provided intelligence on al-Minuki’s movements, allowing for the elimination of what he termed "the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield."
The US State Department had previously designated al-Minuki as a global terrorist in 2023. At that time, officials identified him as a senior leader based in the Sahel region, operating within ISIL’s General Directorate of Provinces, an administrative body responsible for providing operational guidance and funding worldwide.
In his statement, Trump claimed that the removal of al-Minuki would "greatly diminish" ISIS’s global operations. However, he did not provide specific tactical details regarding the location or execution of the joint mission.
The operation follows a period of increased US military engagement in the region. For months, Trump has accused the Nigerian government of failing to prevent armed groups from targeting Christian communities in the country’s northwest, a claim Abuja has denied by stating that fighters target both Muslim and Christian populations.
US forces have deployed hundreds of troops to Nigeria to provide technical support and intelligence sharing. Nigerian officials have maintained that these US forces are operating in a strictly non-combat role. This recent development follows a US air strike in Sokoto State on Christmas Day last year, which targeted ISIL fighters in the area.
The verification of al-Minuki’s death has not been independently confirmed by third-party sources in the provided text. The claim rests solely on the statement issued by the US President.
