US, Nigerian Troops Kill Senior ISIS Commander in Joint Operation – Trump

Donald Trump has announced that American and Nigerian forces carried out a joint military operation that killed a top ISIS commander described as the group’s second-in-command globally.

Trump disclosed this in a post on Truth Social late Friday, saying the mission was conducted under his directive and successfully eliminated what he called “the most active terrorist in the world.”

According to the US President, the target was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior leader of the Islamic State group accused of coordinating terrorist activities across Africa and supporting operations targeting Americans.

“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission,” Trump stated.

He added that the ISIS figure “will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”

Reports indicated that the operation involved close coordination between US military personnel and Nigerian security forces, although details of the location and operational strategy were not immediately disclosed.

The development marks another major counterterrorism strike linked to the Trump administration’s operations against ISIS elements operating in Nigeria and parts of West Africa.

In December 2025, Trump had also announced a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria, accusing the group of attacks against Christian communities in the region.

The latest operation comes amid growing regional and international efforts to curb terrorism and insurgency activities across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African sub-region.