President Donald Trump confirmed late Friday that U.S. special operations forces and Nigerian troops carried out a joint mission that killed a senior ISIS commander in Africa. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump praised the operation as a “flawlessly executed” strike against one of the world’s most wanted terrorists.
The target, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, was described by the president as the “second in command” of the Islamic State group, operating from a hideout in Africa. Trump said the raid was conducted “at my direction” and involved “brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump wrote. “With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished. Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
AFRICOM Confirms Multiple ISIS Leaders Killed
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) issued a statement Saturday confirming the operation’s success. General Dagvin Anderson, AFRICOM commander, said the initial assessment indicates that in addition to al-Minuki, “multiple other ISIS leaders” were eliminated in the raid.
“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,” Anderson said. “Make no mistake, our two nations will relentlessly pursue and neutralize terrorist threats and are committed to protecting our people and interests.”
Nigerian President Hails Bilateral Cooperation
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu released a statement Saturday calling the joint mission a “significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.” Tinubu commended both militaries for carrying out a “daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”
The operation marks the latest in a series of U.S. strikes against ISIS affiliates in Nigeria. In December, Trump referred to a similar mission as a “Christmas present” to the militant group, when American forces targeted “ISIS Terrorist Scum” in the country’s northwest. That strike also killed multiple ISIS members, according to AFRICOM.
The Trump administration has continued to prioritize counterterrorism operations in Africa, even as the president has faced criticism for wavering on commitments to allies like Taiwan and facing pressure from lawmakers over Russian oil sanctions waivers. The president has also been accused of using incendiary language toward journalists covering Iran policy.
The killing of al-Minuki is expected to disrupt ISIS’s ability to plan and coordinate attacks across Africa and beyond, though analysts caution that the group’s decentralized structure means it may quickly adapt. The U.S. and Nigeria have pledged to continue joint operations to pressure remaining ISIS cells.
