Following President Donald Trump’s confirmation of his death in the early hours of today, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has released footage of the military operation that led to the killing of Islamic State (ISIS) second-in-command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.
Some reactions on X say Al-Minuki is a Nigerian, and is believed to have been connected to the 2018 abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe state.
According to @Letter_to_Jack, “Second in command of ISWAP worldwide apparently was a Nigerian hiding in Nigeria until he was sent to an unexpected judgement hearing with his maker.
Their evil intention is to turn our fatherland into their command center and a battleground. It will not happen. Almighty God, please bestow on our troops all the wisdom, strength, and cooperation needed to end them.”
Al-Minuki reportedly provided strategic guidance to the ISIS global network on media and financial operations as well as the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives, and drones.
He was described as the most active terrorist in the world who had a significant history of involvement in planning attacks and directing the taking of hostages.
AFRICOM, in a statement on Saturday, disclosed that the operation that killed the terrorist was conducted under the direction of the United States President and the Secretary of War in close coordination with the Government of Nigeria.
It said initial assessments indicated that multiple terrorists were killed during the operation.
The command said the strike targeted a significant ISIS presence in northeastern Nigeria, describing it as part of sustained joint counter-terrorism efforts in the Lake Chad Basin region.
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, U.S. Africa Command conducted an operation against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria on May 16, 2026.”
“The command’s initial assessment is that multiple terrorists, to include Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the director of global operations for ISIS, as well as other senior ISIS leaders, were killed during this operation. No U.S. service members were harmed.
“As President Trump shared last night, AFRICOM in coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, bravely and valiantly conducted a successful mission that resulted in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, and multiple other ISIS leaders,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command.
“This operation underscores the exceptional value of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and was made possible through the cooperation and coordination of our forces in recent months. Make no mistake, our two nations will relentlessly pursue and neutralize terrorist threats and are committed to protecting our people and interests.”
