The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has released footage of a coordinated military operation in northeastern Nigeria, which resulted in the elimination of senior Islamic State leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and other top ISIS figures.
In a statement issued on Saturday, AFRICOM confirmed that the strike took place on May 16, 2026, under the direct orders of the United States President and the Secretary of War, in close coordination with the Nigerian Government.
According to AFRICOM’s initial findings, “multiple terrorists, to include Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the director of global operations for ISIS, as well as other senior ISIS leaders, were killed during this operation,” with the command confirming that no U.S. service members sustained injuries.
The operation specifically targeted a “significant presence of ISIS fighters in Northeastern Nigeria,” executing it as a joint effort between the armed forces of both nations.
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U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, praised the mission as a testament to the robust military cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria.
“As President Trump shared last night, AFRICOM, in coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, bravely and valiantly conducted a successful mission that resulted in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, and multiple other ISIS leaders,” Gen. Anderson stated.
He further emphasized that the success of the mission came after months of deliberate strategic planning.
“This operation underscores the exceptional value of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and was made possible through the cooperation and coordination of our forces in recent months. Make no mistake, our two nations will relentlessly pursue and neutralise terrorist threats and are committed to protecting our people and interests,” Anderson added.
According to AFRICOM, al-Minuki was a pivotal figure in ISIS’s worldwide network, overseeing media strategy, financial tracking, weapons development, explosives engineering, and drone production. He was also identified as a mastermind behind tactical attacks and high-profile hostage-taking operations.
Reacting to the successful strike, President Bola Tinubu lauded the mission, characterizing it as a “daring joint operation” that dealt a severe blow to ISIS networks operating in the region.
The unveiling of the operational footage underscores the ongoing counterterrorism alliance between both countries as they continue to hunt down extremist groups across Nigeria’s northeast and the broader Lake Chad Basin.
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