ISIS No. 2 Abu-Bilal al-Minuki killed in US-Nigeria joint operation
Synopsis
The US and Nigeria have jointly eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki — ISIS's reported global second-in-command — in a strike Trump called 'flawlessly executed.' Sanctioned by the US State Department in 2023, al-Minuki ran ISWAP operations across 12 Sahel nations. His removal is the most significant blow to ISIS's African command structure in years.
Key Takeaways
US President Donald Trump announced the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki , ISIS's reported global second-in-command, on 16 May .
The operation was a joint mission by American and Nigerian forces, conducted under Trump's direct orders.
Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki , was sanctioned by the US State Department in 2023 under Executive Order 13224 .
He served as a senior commander of ISWAP and oversaw the Lake Chad division under ISIS's General Directorate of Provinces .
Al-Mainuki reportedly operated across the Sahel region , spanning nearly 12 countries in Africa.
US President Donald Trump on 16 May announced the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, in a joint operation conducted by American and Nigerian forces. Trump said the mission was carried out under his direct orders and was described as a coordinated, high-precision strike.
What Trump Said
In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared: 'Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield.'
Trump added: 'Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing. He will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans. With his removal, ISIS's global operation is greatly diminished.'
The US President also publicly thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and support in executing the operation.
Who Was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki
Also identified as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, al-Minuki was considered one of the most senior figures in the ISIS leadership hierarchy, reportedly functioning as the organisation's global deputy commander. He was sanctioned by the US Department of State in 2023 under Executive Order 13224, which targets individuals and entities linked to terrorism financing and activities.
According to the Counter Extremism Project, al-Mainuki primarily operated across the Sahel region of Africa — a vast belt spanning nearly 12 countries. He served as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and oversaw operations connected to the Lake Chad division under ISIS's General Directorate of Provinces (GDP).
Strategic Significance of the Strike
The killing of a figure at this level of the ISIS command structure marks a significant counter-terrorism development, particularly given the group's expanding footprint across West and Central Africa. The Sahel has emerged as one of the most active theatres of jihadist activity globally, with ISWAP responsible for a sustained campaign of violence across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and neighbouring states.
Notably, this operation underscores a deepening US-Nigeria security partnership at a time when Western counter-terrorism engagement in the Sahel has been under strain, following military coups in several regional states that have curtailed French and other Western military presences.
What Happens Next
The full operational details of the strike have not been officially disclosed. US defence and intelligence officials are expected to provide further briefings. Analysts will be watching whether the elimination of al-Minuki disrupts ISWAP's command chain or triggers a retaliatory escalation across the Lake Chad basin.
Point of View
But the harder question is whether it disrupts ISWAP structurally or merely creates a vacancy that a decentralised network fills within weeks. ISIS's African affiliates have demonstrated resilience after previous leadership strikes — the organisation's Sahel operations continued and even expanded after earlier high-profile eliminations. The deeper story here is geopolitical: that Nigeria participated in a joint US operation signals a counter-terrorism alignment at a moment when American influence in the broader Sahel is contracting. Whether this strike is a turning point or a headline event will depend on what intelligence was extracted and whether follow-on operations are already in motion.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki?
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also identified as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was reportedly the second-in-command of ISIS globally and a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). He was sanctioned by the US Department of State in 2023 under Executive Order 13224 for his role in terrorism financing and activities.
How was al-Minuki killed?
He was killed in a joint operation conducted by US and Nigerian forces on 16 May, carried out under the direct orders of President Donald Trump. Trump described the mission as 'meticulously planned and very complex' in a statement on Truth Social.
Where did al-Minuki operate?
According to the Counter Extremism Project, al-Mainuki primarily operated across the Sahel region of Africa, spanning nearly 12 countries. He oversaw ISWAP operations connected to the Lake Chad division under ISIS's General Directorate of Provinces.
What is the significance of this operation for US-Nigeria relations?
The joint operation signals a deepening counter-terrorism partnership between the US and Nigeria, particularly notable at a time when Western military engagement across the broader Sahel region has been under pressure following coups in several neighbouring countries.
