Trump and Tinubu Confirm ISIS Leader Al‑Minuki Killed by Joint US‑Nigerian Forces

Nigerian president praises Trump for steadfast support in the fight against terrorism

Presidency defends joint U.S.–Nigerian military operation

DHQ clarifies earlier reports of al‑Minuki’s death in 2024

Deji Elumoye, Linus Aleke in Abuja

United States President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed yesterday the killing of Abu‑Bilal al‑Manuk, the second‑in‑command of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) worldwide, in a joint operation conducted by the Nigerian Armed Forces and U.S. forces.

The Presidency explained that the operation was intelligence‑driven and the result of more than six months of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) work, supported by communications monitoring and phone intercepts.

In response to confusion over the announcement, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) clarified that terrorist leaders often use similar names and aliases to conceal their identities. The earlier 2024 report of al‑Minuki’s death was a case of mistaken identity.

Trump announced the killing in the early morning hours, saying that U.S. forces and the Nigerian military “flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission” to eliminate the top ISIS leader, who was believed to be hiding in Africa. He added that the operation would greatly diminish ISIS’s global operations.

Trump thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership in the operation. Al‑Minuki was listed as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” by the former U.S. administration in 2023 for his links to ISIS.

In a statement from presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu confirmed that the wanted terrorist was killed at his residence in the Lake Chad Basin. He praised the bravery of both forces and expressed gratitude to Trump for his support, looking forward to further decisive strikes against terrorist camps across the country.

“Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism,” Tinubu said. “Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the United States Armed Forces, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”

“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu‑Bilal Al‑Manuki, also known as Abu‑Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin,” he added. “Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”

“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” Tinubu concluded.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria also announced the successful elimination of the senior ISIS leader following the joint counter‑terrorism operation with U.S. forces.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military described the operation as “meticulously planned and highly coordinated,” resulting in the neutralisation of one of the world’s most active terrorists. The precision strike was made possible through enhanced intelligence sharing under a recently strengthened Nigeria–United States security partnership.

The operation dealt a significant blow to a terrorist network that threatened Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, and the wider West African region.

DHQ noted that al‑Minuki had played a critical role within ISIS, providing strategic guidance to affiliated groups outside Nigeria. His responsibilities reportedly included overseeing media operations, coordinating economic warfare, and supporting the development of weapons, explosives and drone technologies. “His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world,” the statement said.

Military intelligence indicated that, as recently as February 2026, al‑Minuki may have been elevated to head the ISIS General Directorate of States, effectively making him the second‑most senior figure in the global terror group. Prior to this, he was said to have served as the Nigeria‑based al‑Furqan office emir in 2023, overseeing ISIS‑linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks targeting civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minority communities. The military also linked al‑Minuki to longstanding ties with ISIS‑West Africa Province (ISWAP) and alleged his involvement in the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls’ kidnapping. Intelligence records further suggested that between 2015 and 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya to support ISIS operations in North Africa. Before aligning with ISIS in 2015, al‑Minuki was reportedly a prominent figure within Boko Haram.

Presidency Justifies Joint U.S.–Nigerian Military Operation

The Presidency also defended the joint operation that culminated in the killing of al‑Minuki. In a statement, spokesperson Onanuga explained that the earlier 2024 report of the commander’s death was a case of mistaken identity. He stressed that there is no ambiguity this time, as al‑Manuki has been confirmed killed by military authorities.

“It is acknowledged within military and intelligence circles that Al‑Manuki’s name appeared among lists of suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram commanders reportedly killed in 2024 during operations around the Birnin Gwari forest axis in Kaduna State,” Onanuga said. “However, security officials now clarify that the earlier listing was a case of mistaken identity or misattribution in the fog of sustained counterinsurgency operations. Importantly, intelligence now confirms that the Birnin Gwari theatre was never within Al‑Minuki’s established operational sphere, which negates the accuracy of the earlier assessment. This time, however, security and military authorities maintain a far higher level of confidence.”

DHQ Clarifies Reported Killing of Abu‑Bilal Al‑Minuki in 2024, Explains Use of Similar Names by Terrorist Leaders

In a similar clarification, the DHQ reiterated that terrorist commanders often adopt similar names and aliases to obscure their true identities. Major General Uba said the military remains committed to providing verified information through official channels.

“It is important to state that within the North‑East region and across the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is common among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists. This is essentially part of their indoctrination programme, which is aimed at deliberately obscuring identities,” Uba said.

This fact has been established over the years through counter‑