Nigerian, US Troops Eliminate Senior ISIS Leader, al-Minuki
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ has announced the killing of a senior Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted alongside United States forces.
It described al-Minuki as one of the world’s most active terrorists, saying his elimination dealt a significant blow to ISIS operations across Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.
In a statement obtained by INCNews247 early Saturday morning by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military said the operation was carried out through coordinated intelligence sharing and strategic collaboration between Nigerian and US security forces.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with United States forces, has successfully conducted a meticulously planned and highly coordinated counterterrorism operation resulting in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS leader and one of the world’s most active terrorists,” the statement read.
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According to the DHQ, al-Minuki played a central role in ISIS operations, providing guidance to terror cells outside Nigeria on media propaganda, economic warfare, and the development of weapons, explosives and drones.
The military disclosed that intelligence reports suggested the slain terrorist may recently have been elevated to Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second most senior figure in the global ISIS structure.
“His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world,” the DHQ stated.
The military further said al-Minuki previously served as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir in 2023, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across West Africa and the Sahel, including attacks against civilians and minority communities.
The statement added that the terrorist commander maintained operational ties with ISIS-West Africa and was linked to the 2018 abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State.
It also noted that between 2015 and early 2016, al-Minuki facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya in support of ISIS operations in North Africa before formally pledging allegiance to ISIS after emerging as a prominent Boko Haram leader.
The Defence Headquarters said the operation reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to combat terrorism and affirmed the importance of international military cooperation in tackling transnational extremist networks.
“The operation equally underscores the importance of our Nigeria-United States collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated military action in defeating transnational terrorist networks,” the statement added.
The military commended personnel involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication, while reaffirming its commitment to dismantling terrorist infrastructure and restoring peace and stability across the country and the wider region.
