American and Nigerian forces had assassinated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a ‘flawlessly executed mission’, the US president said on Truth Social
1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenReutersPublished: 12:45pm, 16 May 2026Updated: 12:48pm, 16 May 2026US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of Isis globally, had been eliminated in an operation conducted by US and Nigerian forces.“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 said in a post on Truth Social.
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of Isis globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.”
Al-Minuki had been placed under US sanctions in 2023 for ties to the group.
“He will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump said. “With his removal, Isis’ global operation is greatly diminished.”
He also thanked the Nigerian government for its “partnership” in the operation.
