President Donald Trump announced Friday that U.S. forces, in coordination with Nigerian military personnel, conducted a counterterrorism operation that resulted in the death of a top ISIS commander in Africa. Trump stated on Truth Social that the mission was conducted under his direction and described it as complex and carefully coordinated.
The target was identified as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom Trump described as ISIS’s second-in-command and a major operational figure active in Africa. Trump said that al-Minuki’s removal would diminish ISIS’s global operations and prevent further attacks against civilians and Americans.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the operation, noting that early assessments indicate multiple other ISIS leaders were also killed. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson highlighted the mission as an example of effective U.S.-Nigeria cooperation and emphasized the commitment of both nations to counterterrorism efforts.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised the joint operation as a “significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism,” stating that the Nigerian Armed Forces, working alongside U.S. troops, dealt a substantial blow to ISIS ranks.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth linked the operation to prior directives from Trump to protect Christians in Nigeria from extremist attacks and described the mission as a demonstration of U.S. military capability.
The strike is part of ongoing U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Africa, where ISIS affiliates have expanded their presence in recent years. It follows previous U.S. operations in Nigeria, including airstrikes in December 2025, and underscores continued American engagement against terrorist threats across the continent.