US President, Donald Trump
A reported joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces has led to the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by former U.S. President Donald Trump as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, according to statements he made on Friday via his Truth Social platform.
Trump said the mission was carried out “at my direction” by American forces working alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria, describing it as a “meticulously planned and highly complex operation” aimed at eliminating what he called one of the world’s most active terrorist operatives.
According to his account, Al-Minuki had been tracked through intelligence sources that monitored his movements and activities, despite attempts to evade detection across parts of Africa. The former president did not, however, disclose the exact location where the operation reportedly took place.
Al-Minuki, identified as a Nigerian national, was previously designated a “specially designated global terrorist” in 2023 under the Biden administration, as listed in the U.S. Federal Register.
The operation comes amid ongoing cooperation between Washington and Abuja on counterterrorism efforts in West Africa.
Trump used the announcement to acknowledge Nigeria’s role in the mission, even as he has previously criticized the country over allegations related to religious violence—a claim Nigerian authorities consistently reject, maintaining that their military operations target all armed extremist groups regardless of faith or affiliation.
In recent months, the United States has expanded its security engagement in the region, including limited drone activity and the deployment of approximately 200 personnel focused on training and intelligence support for Nigerian forces battling ISIS- and al-Qaeda-linked factions.
U.S. officials have repeatedly emphasized that these personnel operate strictly in non-combat advisory roles, as regional insurgencies continue to evolve and spread across parts of West Africa.
