The Armed Forces of Nigeria have confirmed the elimination of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, a high ranking global ISIS leader, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted alongside United States forces. 

The military described the operation as a carefully coordinated precision strike that successfully neutralized al-Minuki, who was identified as a key strategic figure within the global ISIS network.

High Level Coordination and Confirmation

The official statement from Nigerian defense officials follows an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who disclosed on his Truth Social platform that American and Nigerian forces executed the mission under his direction. President Trump characterized the operation as a "meticulously planned and very complex mission" that targeted the terrorist group’s global second-in-command.

Providing further details, Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, credited the success of the mission to enhanced bilateral cooperation and intelligence sharing.

“The precision operation was the result of our recently formed U.S.-Nigeria partnership and intelligence-sharing efforts," Major General Uba stated. "Together, we have disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region."

A Profile of the Operative

According to Nigerian military intelligence, al-Minuki had recently risen to a critical position within the global hierarchy of ISIS.

Global Standing: Intelligence reports indicated that as of February 2026, al-Minuki had likely been elevated to Head of the General Directorate of States, effectively making him the second most senior leader within the global ISIS network.

Operational Role: He was responsible for providing strategic guidance to international ISIS affiliates regarding media operations, economic warfare, and the development of weapons, explosives, and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

Regional Command: In 2023, he served as the Emir of the Nigeria-based al-Furqan General Directorate of States (GDS) office, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including targeted attacks on civilians and religious minorities.

Longstanding Ties to Regional Instability

Military records indicate that al-Minuki had a long history of militancy in the region. Prior to pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, he was a prominent leader within Boko Haram.

Between March 2015 and early 2016, he reportedly facilitated the logistical movement of fighters to Libya to support ISIS operations in North Africa. Furthermore, intelligence links al-Minuki to the 2018 abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Nigeria, alongside maintaining deep operational ties with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Commitment to Regional Security

The Defence Headquarters commended the professionalism and gallantry of the personnel involved, emphasizing that the success of the mission underscores the vital importance of international partnerships in dismantling transnational terrorist threats.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing operations aimed at neutralizing extremist infrastructure, protecting civilian populations, and ensuring long-term stability across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.