Trump and Nigeria Confirm Death of Daesh Second-in-Command

A coordinated military effort between the United States and Nigeria has resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-highest leader of Daesh globally, in a significant operation in Nigeria, officials from both countries announced on Friday.

According to U.S. President Donald Trump and the Nigerian military, al-Minuki, placed under U.S. sanctions since 2023, held the position of second-in-command in Daesh worldwide.

“This evening, under my directive, courageous American forces, alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces, executed a detailed and complex mission to remove one of the world’s most active terrorists from the battlefield,” Trump declared in a Truth Social post, disclosing the elimination.

The Nigerian defense statement echoed this, identifying al-Minuki as a “senior ISIS leader and one of the world’s most active terrorists,” comparing him to another name used for the terrorist group.

Al-Minuki was described as an “operational and strategic figure,” who offered guidance to Daesh elements beyond Nigeria regarding media operations, economic warfare, and weapon manufacturing, including explosives and drones.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, in confirming the operation, stated, “Our resolute Nigerian Armed Forces, in close collaboration with the United States, carried out a bold joint strike significantly impacting Islamic State’s leadership.”

Al-Minuki, also identified as Abu-Mainok, perished “alongside several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin,” a volatile area spanning Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, Tinubu noted.

President Trump withheld specifics about the nature of the attack or details of any U.S. airstrikes involved.

‘Critical node’

The Nigerian military views Al-Minuki’s demise as eradicating a “critical node through which Daesh coordinated and directed operations globally.”

Nigeria has been facing persistent challenges from terrorist factions, including Daesh affiliates and rival group Boko Haram. Simultaneously, the Nigerian army continues operations against non-ideological criminal gangs, infamously known as “bandits.”

Since the end of 2025, under U.S. pressure, Nigeria has intensified efforts against militant threats while Washington has supported by deploying troops to assist and train local forces. On a significant note, a collaborative airstrike was conducted on Christmas Day in Sokoto State, targeting Daesh fighters traditionally active in Niger.

Expressing gratitude, Tinubu acknowledged Trump for his “unyielding leadership and support,” and expressed eagerness for future operations against terrorist groups within the nation.

The Nigerian military revealed Al-Minuki’s involvement in orchestrating Daesh-linked assaults in the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks on ethnic and religious minorities. His notorious history includes association with the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of over 100 schoolgirls in Nigeria’s Yobe state.

Additionally, the army reported that between March 2015 and early 2016, he facilitated the transit of fighters to Libya to aid Daesh activities in North Africa.

The death of al-Minuki marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against terrorism in the region.