May 16, 2026 11:25 pm (IST)
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Trump announces killing of ISIS No. 2 Abu-Bilal in joint US-Nigeria operation
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that American and Nigerian forces had killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior leader of the Islamic State group and its reported second-in-command globally.
Trump announced the operation in a post on Truth Social, describing Abu-Bilal as one of the world’s most active terrorists.
According to Trump, the mission was carried out at his direction by US forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He said Abu-Bilal believed he could evade capture by operating in Africa, but US intelligence sources had continued to track his movements.
Trump said the operation was meticulously planned and executed successfully.
The US Department of State designated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki as a global terrorist in 2023.
At the time, the State Department identified him as a senior Islamic State leader based in the Sahel and a member of the group’s General Directorate of Provinces, which oversees operations and financing across multiple regions.
Trump said Abu-Bilal would no longer be able to direct attacks in Africa or help plan operations targeting Americans.
He added that the elimination of the militant leader had significantly reduced the operational capacity of the Islamic State.
Trump also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation.
Nigeria’s security forces are engaged in long-running operations against Islamist groups, including Islamic State affiliates and Boko Haram.
The military has also been conducting operations against armed criminal groups commonly referred to as bandits.
In recent months, the United States has expanded its military support to Nigeria, including the deployment of personnel to assist with training and intelligence coordination.
On Christmas Day, US and Nigerian forces carried out air strikes in Sokoto State targeting militants linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel Province.
The group operates primarily in neighbouring Niger but maintains networks across the wider region.
Trump, however, did not specify where Abu-Bilal was killed or whether the mission involved air strikes, ground operations or a combination of both.
US officials have not yet released further operational details.
#Abu-Bilal al-Minuki killed
# Trump ISIS leader killed
# US Nigeria operation
# ISIS deputy chief
# Donald Trump Truth Social
# Islamic State Africa
# Nigeria counterterrorism
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