On May 16, 2026, former President Donald Trump announced that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of the Islamic State (ISIS) globally, was killed in a joint operation by U.S. forces and the Nigerian armed forces in Nigeria. Trump stated, 'Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned operation that eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a top global terrorist.'
The operation, which took place in northern Nigeria, targeted al-Minuki, who was responsible for overseeing ISIS operations across Africa and coordinating with affiliates worldwide. U.S. officials confirmed the strike, noting that no civilian casualties were reported. The Nigerian government praised the collaboration, calling it a significant blow to terrorist networks in the region.
Al-Minuki's death marks a major victory in the fight against ISIS, which has been regrouping in parts of Africa and the Middle East. Analysts say his removal could disrupt the group's command structure, though they caution that ISIS remains resilient. The U.S. has not disclosed specific details of the operation, citing security concerns.
