Who is ISIS ‘number two’ Abu Bilal al-Minuki

Abu Bilal al-Minuki, identified by United States President Donald Trump as the global second-in-command of ISIS, has come into focus following claims that he was killed in a joint counterterrorism operation involving American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Trump announced that the operation, described as complex and intelligence-driven, targeted the senior militant who was believed to be hiding somewhere in Africa. However, the exact location and operational details have not been disclosed.

Available records suggest that al-Minuki, whose full name appears as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ali al-Mainuki, was already known within international counterterrorism circles. He was listed under U.S. sanctions by the United States Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), with Abu Bilal al-Minuki identified as one of his aliases.

According to U.S. records, he was a Nigerian national born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State—an area long associated with insurgent activities involving extremist groups.

In June 2023, the United States Department of State designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, a move that imposed sanctions and froze any assets linked to him under U.S. jurisdiction.

The designation linked him directly to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), also known as ISIL, and identified him as part of the group’s network operating in West Africa.

International reports, including those by the Associated Press, described al-Minuki as a key figure in ISIS financial operations and strategic planning. He was also believed to have risen in prominence within the group’s West African structure following the death of Mamman Nur in 2018.

His background is significant given that Borno State has been the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency, with groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP maintaining strongholds in the region. Analysts say his rise from a local militant environment to a senior global ISIS role highlights the continued links between regional insurgencies and international jihadist networks.

Trump stated that al-Minuki’s death would weaken ISIS operations globally, noting that he would no longer be able to coordinate attacks or terrorise communities.

Despite the claims, several details remain unclear. Nigerian authorities have yet to provide an official account of the operation, including its location, the units involved, or whether other militants were captured or killed.

There are also variations in the spelling of his name across reports, though available records suggest they refer to the same individual.

The reported operation comes amid increased United States security engagement in West Africa, including intelligence support and training for Nigerian forces. It also underscores ongoing efforts to curb extremist violence in the region.

While the development is being presented as a major counterterrorism success, further confirmation from Nigerian authorities is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation.