• President Bola Tinubu confirmed the killing of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok
• The operation was carried out jointly by Nigerian troops and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin
• Tinubu described the mission as a “significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism”

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the death of a top Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, popularly known as Abu-Mainok, during a coordinated military operation involving Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

In a statement personally signed on Saturday, May 16, Tinubu described the operation as “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism” between Nigeria and the United States.

According to the President, Nigerian troops worked closely with the US Armed Forces in what he called “a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”

He revealed that preliminary intelligence reports confirmed the killing of the wanted terrorist leader alongside several of his key lieutenants after security forces launched a strike on his hideout in the Lake Chad region.

“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,” Tinubu stated.

The President said the success of the mission reflects the growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorism across West Africa.

“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives,” he said, while also expressing gratitude to US President Donald Trump “for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”

Tinubu further commended the military personnel involved in the operation, praising their bravery and professionalism.

“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,” the statement added.

The operation comes amid intensified offensives against insurgent groups operating in the North-East and the wider Lake Chad Basin, where Islamic State-backed factions have continued to attack military facilities and civilian communities.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump also confirmed the operation in a post on Truth Social, describing Al-Manuki as “the most active terrorist in the world.”

Trump said American forces and the Nigerian military “flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission” that led to the elimination of the terrorist leader.

He further claimed that Al-Manuki served as the “second in command of ISIS globally” and had attempted to evade capture by hiding in Africa.

“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” Trump wrote.

The US President added that the slain militant, who had been sanctioned by the United States in 2023 over links to the Islamic State group, would “no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”

Trump also praised Nigeria for its cooperation, saying the successful mission dealt a major setback to ISIS operations worldwide.

The joint strike highlights increasing military collaboration between both countries as efforts intensify to dismantle extremist networks threatening stability in the Lake Chad Basin and other parts of West Africa.

DHQ confirms deployment of U.S. troops under bilateral agreement

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had clarified that all engagements involving United States troops in Nigeria are being carried out in line with established bilateral agreements and with full respect for the country’s sovereignty.

The clarification followed viral media reports suggesting that U.S. troops were deployed on Nigerian soil to combat terrorism.

The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military high command said Nigeria has a long-standing and well-structured security partnership with the United States.