By George Omagbemi Sylvester
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed that Nigerian forces, working alongside the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), carried out a joint military operation that reportedly eliminated a top ISIS commander linked to terrorist activities in West Africa.
The operation, announced on May 16, 2026, was also acknowledged by former United States President Donald Trump, who described the mission as “very complex” and successfully executed after extensive intelligence gathering and strategic coordination.
According to reports, the target of the operation was Abu Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as a senior ISIS figure allegedly responsible for coordinating attacks and extremist activities across parts of the Lake Chad Basin and northern Nigeria. Several of his associates were also reportedly killed during the strike.
President Tinubu praised the growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, insisting that the country would continue to intensify counterterrorism operations against insurgents, bandits, and extremist groups threatening national stability.
The Nigerian government stated that the joint mission reflects broader international efforts to combat terrorism and prevent extremist networks from expanding across West Africa and the Sahel region.
Security analysts say the operation signals a deeper level of military collaboration between both countries as Nigeria continues battling insurgency, armed banditry, and transnational terrorist threats affecting several northern communities.
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