Who was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki? US kills ISIS second-in-command in Nigeria, Trump says ‘He will no longer…’

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces, working closely with Nigerian troops, have killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was believed to be the second-in-command of ISIS globally. The operation was carried out in Nigeria after what Trump described as a “meticulously planned and very complex mission.”

According to Trump, the mission was conducted based on strong intelligence inputs that tracked al-Minuki’s movements in Africa. He claimed that the high-ranking terrorist believed he could remain hidden in the region but was constantly under surveillance. The US President said the joint effort between American forces and the Nigerian military ensured the operation was executed “flawlessly.”

Trump praised the outcome, stating that al-Minuki would “no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans.” He also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation, adding that the removal of such a key figure has significantly weakened ISIS’s global operations.

Who was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki?

Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was considered one of the most influential leaders within ISIS. He reportedly operated mainly in the Sahel region of Africa, an area that spans multiple countries and has been a hotspot for extremist activity.

He served as a senior commander for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), one of ISIS’s strongest regional branches. Al-Minuki was also linked to directing operations in the Lake Chad region and played a major role in coordinating activities under ISIS’s global network.

Why was he a key target for the US?

Reports suggest he was responsible for channeling international funding and providing operational guidance to terror cells across different regions. Because of his influence, the US State Department designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in June 2023.

His elimination is being seen as a significant blow to ISIS, particularly in Africa, where the group has been expanding its footprint in recent years.

What does this mean for ISIS operations?

Experts believe that removing such a high-ranking leader could disrupt ISIS’s command structure and weaken its ability to coordinate attacks.