President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the elimination of the wanted ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, in a joint operation carried out by the Nigerian armed forces and the United States military.
In a statement he personally signed on Saturday, Tinubu said Nigerian troops, working with the US Armed Forces, carried out “a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State”.
Tinubu described the operation as a major step in advancing the security objectives of both countries and commended the forces involved for their conduct, adding that he looks forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across Nigeria.
He commended the United States president, Donald Trump, for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort as well as the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage.
According to the statement, “Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.
“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.
“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”
