President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the killing of senior Islamic State commander Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a joint military operation by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Tinubu described the mission as a major success in the fight against terrorism, saying Nigerian troops and US forces carried out a coordinated operation that dealt a heavy blow to the Islamic State network.
According to the President, early reports confirmed that Abu-Mainok and several of his lieutenants were killed during a strike on their hideout in the Lake Chad region.
Tinubu praised the cooperation between both countries, describing it as a strong example of growing security collaboration. He also thanked US President Donald Trump for his support and commended the troops involved for their professionalism and bravery.
The operation comes amid intensified offensives against insurgent groups in the North-East and Lake Chad region, where Islamic State-linked factions have continued attacks on troops and civilians.
Trump had earlier announced the operation on Truth Social, describing Abu-Mainok as one of the world’s most active terrorists and claiming he was the second-in-command of ISIS globally. He said the militant leader, sanctioned by the US in 2023, believed he could hide in Africa but was tracked through intelligence sources.
The US President added that the operation had significantly weakened ISIS’s global activities and thanked Nigeria for its partnership in the mission.
