The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the killing of a senior ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in a joint operation by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States forces.
The Defence Headquarters, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the operation was the outcome of strengthened intelligence sharing and coordinated action under the emerging Nigeria–U.S. security partnership.
The mission, Uba said, was carefully planned and executed, resulting in the elimination of a high-value target described as one of the most influential figures in ISIS’s global structure.
Uba disclosed that al-Minuki played a strategic role within the terrorist organisation, providing operational guidance on media propaganda, financial activities, and the development of weapons systems, including explosives and drone technologies.
He added: “His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world.
“Intelligence further indicates that, as recently as February 2026, Minuki may have been elevated to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, placing him the second most senior leader within the ISIS global hierarchy.
Why killing of Abu-Bilal al-Manuki matters for Nigeria
“Prior to this, Minuki served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks against civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minority communities.”
Uba also linked the terrorist leader to several high-profile attacks and abductions, including the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls’ kidnapping, as well as earlier cross-border movements of fighters supporting extremist activities in North Africa.
Uba, therefore, described the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational security threats in the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel, and beyond.
He added that the success of the mission underscores Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding national security while strengthening international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
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