Trump said al-Minuki was killed in a joint military operation carried out by American forces and their Nigerian counterparts.
By Kehinde Okeowo
United States President Donald Trump has revealed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) worldwide, has been eliminated on African soil in a joint military operation carried out by American forces in conjunction with their Nigerian counterparts.
He made this known on Saturday via a now-trending statement shared on his official Truth Social account, saying the death deals a major blow to ISIS operations globally and weakens its presence in Africa.
Trump described al-Minuki as one of the most active figures within ISIS, accusing him of orchestrating attacks and supporting terrorist operations against both Americans and communities across Africa.
The US president added that the operation that took him out was the outcome of extensive intelligence gathering and strategic coordination.
ALSO READ: King Charles urges Western unity in speech to US Congress
He went on to praise the Nigerian government and the country’s military authorities for their cooperation and support during the operation.
Speaking on his verified handle, he said: “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 added: “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.
“He will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans. With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished. Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation.”
