American and Nigerian forces have killed Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, the alleged second in command of ISIS, during a joint military operation in the Lake Chad Basin.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the strike on Friday through his Truth Social account, reposted later by the White House.
“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…”
Trump, who had just returned from a trip to China, described Al-Manuki as “the most active terrorist in the world.” He added that the militant leader “thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.”
Tinubu Commends Joint Operation
On Saturday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu issued a statement confirming the death of Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok. He said the strike was “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.”
Tinubu explained that Nigerian troops, working with US forces, carried out “a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”
He added that “early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.”
The Nigerian leader praised the professionalism of both militaries. “Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”
Wider Security Context
Al-Manuki had been placed under US sanctions in 2023 for his ties to ISIS. His removal is seen as a major setback for the group’s operations in Africa and beyond.
Trump said the militant would “no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”
Tinubu added: “I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”
The Lake Chad Basin has long been a hotspot for extremist activity, with ISIS-linked factions attacking military bases and civilian communities. The joint strike reflects growing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States to weaken insurgent networks across West Africa.
With Al-Manuki gone, both governments believe ISIS’s global command structure has been weakened. Trump concluded: “With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”
The question now is whether this operation signals a turning point in the fight against terrorism in Africa.
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