NewsOnline Nigeria reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the killing of a senior Islamic State leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a joint military operation carried out by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement personally signed on Saturday, Tinubu described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and a strong example of growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
According to the President, Nigerian troops working alongside the US Armed Forces executed what he called “a daring joint operation” that dealt a significant blow to the Islamic State network operating within the region.
He disclosed that early intelligence assessments confirmed the elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki and several of his top lieutenants during a coordinated strike on his hideout in the Lake Chad Basin.
Tinubu said the operation marked a critical step toward advancing the shared security objectives of both countries, especially in the ongoing battle against insurgency and extremist violence in West Africa.
“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,” the statement read.
The President also commended military personnel from both countries for their professionalism, courage, and commitment during the operation.
“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,” Tinubu added.
The development comes amid intensified military offensives against insurgent groups operating across Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad region, where Islamic State-linked factions have continued attacks on military bases and civilian communities.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump had earlier confirmed the operation in a post on Truth Social, describing Al-Manuki as “the most active terrorist in the world.”
Trump stated that the operation was carried out at his directive by American forces in collaboration with the Nigerian military.
“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote.
The US President further described the slain militant commander as the “second in command of ISIS globally,” noting that he had attempted to evade capture by hiding in Africa.
According to Trump, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki had been placed under American sanctions in 2023 because of his links to the Islamic State terrorist group.
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” Trump stated, while also thanking the Nigerian government for its partnership and cooperation.
The successful operation highlights growing military and intelligence collaboration between Nigeria and the United States as both countries intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating within the Lake Chad Basin and across the wider West African region.
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