Washington DC (US), May 16, 2026, BNN Web Staff: US President Donald Trump announced that American forces, working alongside the Nigerian military, have killed a senior leader of the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria during a coordinated operation in Africa.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump identified the slain militant as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the second-highest-ranking figure within ISIS globally.
According to Trump, the operation was carried out after intelligence agencies tracked the militant’s movements while he was allegedly hiding in Africa.
Trump praised both US troops and the Armed Forces of Nigeria for conducting what he called a “highly precise and carefully planned mission.”
He added that the killing of al-Minuki would weaken ISIS’s international operational network and prevent future attacks targeting civilians and American interests.
The US President also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission, saying the partnership played a crucial role in the success of the operation.
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki had previously been designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US State Department in 2023 during the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Authorities had linked him to ISIS activities under multiple aliases, including Abubakar Mainok and Abor Mainok.
The development comes amid growing concerns over extremist violence in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Last month, ISIS claimed responsibility for a deadly assault in Nigeria’s Adamawa state that reportedly killed at least 29 people after gunmen attacked residents in the Guyaku community.
The US has intensified its focus on extremist groups operating in the region in recent years. In December last year, Washington launched another strike targeting ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria following reports of attacks on Christian communities.
Militant violence has continued to destabilize several parts of Nigeria. In June 2025, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in an attack on the home village of a Nigerian bishop shortly after he testified before the US Congress regarding alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
