The United States Department of Defense has disclosed dramatic details surrounding a covert counterterrorism operation linked to President Donald Trump that reportedly led to the killing of a senior Islamic State commander in Nigeria.
According to US and Nigerian officials, the target of the operation was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by Trump as the global “second-in-command” of ISIS and one of the group’s most active operational figures.
Reports indicate the joint mission involved close coordination between American forces and the Nigerian Armed Forces during a precision operation carried out in the Lake Chad Basin area, particularly around Metele in Borno State.
Trump announced the operation through his Truth Social platform, describing it as a “meticulously planned and very complex mission” conducted under his direction.
He claimed intelligence sources tracked al-Minuki’s movements while the ISIS leader believed he was safely hidden in Africa. Trump further stated that the operation significantly weakened ISIS’s global network.
The Nigerian presidency later confirmed the strike, saying early intelligence assessments showed al-Minuki and several of his lieutenants were eliminated during the operation.
According to reports linked to Pentagon and US Africa Command briefings, the operation involved coordinated intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and joint air-land execution conducted over several hours during nighttime conditions.
US Africa Command reportedly said no American casualties were recorded during the mission, which officials described as one of the most significant recent counterterrorism successes in West Africa.
Al-Minuki had previously been designated a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” by the US government in 2023 over his alleged involvement in coordinating extremist operations, financing, logistics, media propaganda, and weapons development for ISIS-linked networks in the Sahel and West Africa.
Security analysts say the operation reflects increasing American strategic focus on extremist groups operating in Africa, particularly as ISIS affiliates expand activities across the Sahel region and the Lake Chad Basin.
The operation also highlights renewed military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States after months of increased intelligence sharing, drone support, and counterterrorism coordination.
While supporters praised the strike as a major blow against terrorism, some observers cautioned that extremist groups in the region remain resilient despite leadership losses.
The Islamic State group had not officially commented on the reported killing as of the latest updates.
