A senior Islamic State leader connected to violent attacks on Christians and the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Nigeria has been killed during a joint military operation involving United States and Nigerian forces, officials confirmed.
US President Donald Trump announced that the operation targeted Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the Islamic State group’s top global leaders.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the mission in northeastern Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin was “carefully planned” and highly complex. He stated that the death of al-Minuki had significantly weakened the extremist group’s international operations.
Trump said intelligence sources had tracked the militant leader despite attempts to hide within Africa. He also thanked the Nigerian government for cooperating in the operation.
Nigerian officials later confirmed the mission and said preliminary reports indicated that al-Minuki and several of his associates had been killed.
According to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, al-Minuki played an important role within Islamic State operations beyond Nigeria.
He reportedly oversaw propaganda activities, financial operations and the development of weapons, explosives and drones for extremist groups linked to Islamic State across Africa.
Officials said his death removes a major figure involved in coordinating militant activities in several regions.
The operation reportedly included both ground forces and airstrikes. US defence officials also released footage believed to show strikes against Islamic State positions during the mission.
Born in Nigeria in 1982, al-Minuki was previously linked to Boko Haram, the extremist group responsible for attacks, kidnappings and violence across parts of West Africa.
Reports connected him to the 2018 abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls in Yobe State, Nigeria.
In 2023, the US government formally identified him as a leading Islamic State figure operating in Africa’s Sahel region. He was later added to the US sanctions list for global terrorism activities.
Security experts believe Somali militant Abdul Qadir Mumin is now leading the wider Islamic State network internationally.
The United Nations estimated last year that extremist groups linked to Islamic State had between 8,000 and 12,000 fighters operating across West Africa. The region has experienced years of violence involving Islamist militant groups, including attacks on Christian communities, churches and schools.
The latest operation follows improving security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria after tensions between the two countries in recent years.
In late 2025, Trump publicly criticised the Nigerian government over ongoing attacks against Christians and accused authorities of failing to protect vulnerable communities from extremist violence.
Following renewed cooperation, the United States sent military personnel to support Nigerian forces through intelligence-sharing and tactical training. American officials stated that US troops would assist with surveillance and operational planning but would not directly participate in frontline combat missions.
The US military had previously carried out strikes against Islamic State camps in Nigeria during the Christmas period last year, with several militants reportedly killed.
Islamic State once controlled large territories in Iraq and Syria during the 2010s before losing much of that land following military campaigns led by international coalitions. However, affiliated groups remain active in parts of Africa and the Middle East, particularly in countries including Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Adapted from reporting by The Christian Post.
