President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday confirmed the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, 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.
Tinubu described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and praised the growing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
In a statement personally signed by the President, he said the operation showed the strength of cooperation between both countries in tackling insurgency and violent extremism.
According to him, Nigerian troops worked closely with the United States Armed Forces in carrying out what he described as a “daring joint operation” that dealt a serious blow to the Islamic State group.
Tinubu said early assessments from the operation confirmed that Al-Manuki and several of his top fighters were killed during an air and ground strike on their hideout in the Lake Chad region.
The President noted that the operation was an important step toward improving security in Nigeria and across the wider West African region, where extremist groups have continued to launch attacks on military bases and civilian communities.
“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin,” Tinubu stated.
He expressed appreciation to the United States government for supporting Nigeria’s anti-terror war and thanked US President Donald Trump for backing the operation.
“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 said.
Tinubu also commended soldiers and security personnel from both countries for their professionalism and bravery during the mission.
“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,” he added.
The development comes at a time when Nigerian troops have stepped up offensives against insurgent groups operating in the North-East, especially around Borno State and parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
In recent months, terrorists linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram have carried out attacks on military formations, villages and highways in the region, raising concerns over insecurity despite years of military operations.
The Lake Chad Basin, which covers parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, has remained one of the major strongholds of extremist groups in West Africa. The difficult terrain and porous borders in the area have allowed terrorists to move across countries and launch attacks on both civilians and security forces.
United States President Donald Trump had earlier announced the operation on Friday through a post on Truth Social, where he described Al-Manuki as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists.
Trump said the mission was carefully planned and successfully executed by American 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 wrote.
The US President further claimed that the slain militant was the second-in-command of ISIS globally and had believed he could avoid arrest by hiding in Africa.
“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,” Trump said.
Trump added that the militant leader had been under American sanctions since 2023 because of his connections to the Islamic State group.
According to him, the death of Al-Manuki would reduce the ability of ISIS to coordinate attacks across different regions.
“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump stated.
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” he added while also thanking the Nigerian government for its support and partnership.
Although details of the exact location and scale of the operation were not immediately released, military sources said the mission involved intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated strikes targeting terrorist camps within the Lake Chad region.
The Nigerian military has in recent years increased cooperation with international partners, including the United States, France and neighbouring African countries, in intelligence sharing, training and counter-terrorism operations.
The Federal Government has repeatedly said it remains committed to defeating terrorism and restoring peace to troubled communities in the North-East.
Over the past decade, insurgency in the region has led to the deaths of thousands of people and displaced millions from their homes. Many communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states have suffered repeated attacks, while farmers and traders continue to face threats from armed groups.
Despite claims by security agencies that Boko Haram had been largely weakened, attacks by ISWAP fighters have continued, especially against military positions and remote villages.
The latest operation is therefore being seen as an important symbolic and military victory for both Nigeria and the United States.
For residents of communities affected by insurgency, many hope the killing of the ISIS commander will lead to further military successes and improve security in the region.
However, security experts have warned that terrorist groups often reorganise after losing key commanders, making sustained military pressure and intelligence operations necessary.
Still, Saturday’s announcement has been welcomed by many Nigerians as another major step in the long-running battle against terrorism in the country and the wider Lake Chad region.