President Donald Trump announced Friday that U.S. and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS globally [1].
The operation removes a high-ranking leader linked to mass atrocities in West Africa, signaling a coordinated effort between Washington and Abuja to degrade the group's command structure.
"Tonight, we have eliminated the second-in-command of ISIS globally," Trump said [1]. He described the mission as a major strike victory and noted the complexity of the operation. "I want to thank the Nigerian government for its partnership in this meticulously planned and very complex mission," Trump said [3].
Al-Minuki served as the global deputy for the terrorist organization [1]. Intelligence linked him to the 2023 kidnapping of more than 100 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State [2]. The scale of that incident made the commander a primary target for international counter-terrorism efforts.
Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba said al-Minuki was linked to the mass kidnapping of more than 100 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State [2]. While the U.S. government confirmed the operation took place in Nigeria, the specific region of the strike was not disclosed in the official announcement [1].
The strike occurred on May 15, 2026 [1]. This joint operation marks a significant tactical success in the ongoing struggle against ISIS affiliates in the region, where the group has historically sought to establish a foothold through kidnappings, and insurgency.
“"Tonight, we have eliminated the second-in-command of ISIS globally."”
The removal of a global deputy indicates a shift toward high-value targeting in West Africa, where ISIS has attempted to consolidate power. By linking the strike to the Dapchi schoolgirls' kidnapping, the U.S. and Nigerian governments are framing the operation as both a strategic military victory and a response to specific human rights violations, potentially strengthening the diplomatic and military alliance between the two nations.
