Trump Says Joint US-Nigerian Raid Killed Abu-Bilal-al-Biluki Global Second In Command Of ISIS

Donald Trump announced that a joint military operation carried out by American and Nigerian forces has killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who he described as the global second in command of ISIS. The operation reportedly took place in Nigeria and was presented as one of the most important counterterrorism actions against the extremist group in recent months.

According to Trump, the raid was “meticulously planned” and involved close cooperation between U.S. special operations forces and the Nigerian military. In a statement shared publicly, Trump said the ISIS leader believed he could hide safely in Africa but was tracked through intelligence operations that monitored his movements across the region.

The militant leader, identified in reports as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, was believed to be one of the highest-ranking ISIS figures operating outside the Middle East. U.S. authorities had previously classified him as a specially designated global terrorist due to his involvement in extremist activity linked to ISIS operations in Africa’s Sahel region.

Nigerian officials also confirmed that the operation targeted a compound in the Lake Chad Basin area, a region that has faced years of attacks from extremist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Reports said several of al-Minuki’s associates and lieutenants were also killed during the mission.

Trump praised the Nigerian government for cooperating in the mission and said the operation would weaken ISIS’s ability to organize attacks in Africa and internationally. He described al-Minuki as “the most active terrorist in the world” and claimed his death would significantly reduce ISIS operational strength.

The operation comes as the United States has expanded military cooperation with Nigeria in recent months. American forces have increased intelligence sharing, drone surveillance, training programs, and counterterrorism support in West Africa as extremist violence continues spreading across parts of the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.

Security experts say Africa has become one of the fastest-growing areas of ISIS-linked insurgent activity in recent years. Groups connected to ISIS and Al-Qaeda remain active in countries including Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad. Analysts warn that instability, weak border security, and ongoing armed conflicts have allowed extremist organizations to expand influence in remote regions.

Despite the reported success of the operation, counterterrorism analysts caution that eliminating senior leaders does not fully destroy extremist networks. ISIS affiliates in Africa continue operating through decentralized militant cells capable of launching attacks even after leadership losses. Experts say long-term security improvements will require regional military cooperation, economic support, and stronger local governance in conflict-affected areas.