By Ayomide Otitoju
Bola Tinubu has confirmed the killing of an ISIS top commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in a fresh joint military operation carried out by Nigeria and the United States.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Tinubu said the operation was executed “overnight” by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with U.S. forces.
The announcement followed an earlier disclosure by Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, where he said the ISIS commander, described as the group’s second-in-command globally, had been eliminated in a “meticulously planned and very complex mission.”
According to Trump, the operation involved “brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria” and targeted Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who he said had been hiding in Africa while coordinating terrorist activities linked to the Islamic State group.
He described the slain commander as “the most active terrorist in the world” and said his removal would significantly weaken ISIS operations globally.
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” Trump said, while thanking the Nigerian government for its cooperation.
Reacting to the development, Tinubu said the mission reflected the effectiveness of international security collaboration in combating terrorism.
“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” the President said.
He added that preliminary assessments confirmed the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his associates during a strike in the Lake Chad Basin.
Tinubu commended the personnel involved in the operation, praising their professionalism and bravery, and expressed appreciation to the United States for its support.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” he said, adding that he looks forward to further coordinated actions against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
