US and Nigerian Forces Kill ISIS Second-in-Command
The Guardian reported Saturday that President Donald Trump announced American and Nigerian forces had killed the global deputy leader of the Islamic State, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in what he described as a highly complex joint operation.
Trump made the announcement Friday on his Truth Social platform. He said the mission was executed “flawlessly” at his direct order.
A Target Hiding in Africa
Trump identified al-Minuki as the Islamic State’s second-in-command worldwide. The president said the militant believed he could evade detection by sheltering in Africa. US intelligence sources tracked his movements and enabled the strike, Trump indicated. He did not disclose the precise location of the operation.
Al-Minuki, a Nigerian national, had been sanctioned by the United States in 2023 under the Biden administration. Federal authorities formally designated him a “specially designated global terrorist” for his direct ties to the Islamic State organization.
Trump declared that al-Minuki’s death had “greatly diminished” the group’s capacity to plan and execute operations globally. He added the militant would no longer be in a position to threaten civilians across Africa or coordinate attacks against American interests.
Background: Growing US Footprint in West Africa
US military engagement in Nigeria expanded significantly in recent months. Following American airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants inside Nigeria in December, Washington deployed approximately 200 troops along with drone assets. The deployment was structured to provide training and intelligence support to Nigerian armed forces.
Nigerian military officials stated earlier this year that US personnel were operating strictly in a non-combat advisory capacity. The partnership targets both Islamic State-affiliated networks and al-Qaeda-linked insurgencies that have spread across a broad stretch of west Africa.
Trump praised the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the operation. Relations between Washington and Abuja have carried some friction. Trump previously accused Nigeria of not doing enough to protect Christian communities from Islamist violence in the country’s north-west. Nigeria has consistently denied those charges, arguing its security forces pursue armed groups without regard to their victims’ religious identity.
Washington Signals Continued Pressure
The announcement signals the Trump administration’s intent to maintain aggressive counterterrorism posture across Africa. Senior officials have linked the west African insurgencies to broader threats against US personnel and allies in the region.
Trump’s statement framed the killing as a significant strategic blow to the Islamic State’s command structure. Whether the group’s operational capacity is materially reduced will likely become clearer in the weeks ahead.
Read Next: What the US Military’s Africa Pivot Means for Regional Security
