President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a coordinated military operation carried out by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
According to a statement from the State House, the overnight operation was described as a strong demonstration of cooperation between both countries in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, working alongside U.S. military personnel, launched a joint strike that targeted a militant stronghold in the region. Early reports indicate that Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, along with several of his close associates, was eliminated during the raid.
President Tinubu praised the collaboration and expressed appreciation for the support from the United States in achieving shared security goals. He also commended the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved and emphasized the need for continued efforts against terrorist groups operating across the country.
The operation comes amid intensified military actions against insurgent groups in Nigeria’s North-East and the wider Lake Chad region, where extremist factions have continued to launch attacks on civilians and security forces.
The United States President Donald Trump also confirmed the operation, describing the slain militant leader as a high-level figure within ISIS and praising the joint mission conducted by both countries’ armed forces.
He stated that intelligence sources had tracked the militant’s movements and confirmed his location prior to the strike, adding that the operation significantly weakens the group’s global structure.
The Islamic State Islamic State network is believed to have suffered a major setback following the elimination of one of its senior figures.
