Donald Trump has declared the demise of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, known as the ‘second in command of ISIS.’ The US President stated that American and Nigerian forces eliminated “the most active terrorist in the world” after discovering him hiding in Africa. Trump boasted on Truth Social about having sources that kept them informed about al-Minuki’s activities.
Al-Minuki was identified as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023. An anonymous official mentioned that he played a crucial role in the organization and financing of Islamic State (IS) and had been planning attacks against the US and its interests.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the operation, revealing that Al-Minuki and several of his associates were eliminated during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin. Al-Minuki’s death follows the killing of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019.
In his post, Trump expressed relief that Al-Minuki would no longer spread terror in Africa or coordinate operations against Americans. He also acknowledged the partnership with the Nigerian government in this mission, signing off with “GOD BLESS AMERICA! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Al-Minuki, born in Nigeria’s Borno province in 1982, assumed leadership of the IS branch in West Africa after the death of Mamman Nur in 2018. The Counter Extremism Project reported that he operated in the Sahel region and likely participated in conflicts in Libya when IS was active there over a decade ago.
Nigeria has been combatting various armed groups, including those affiliated with IS, amidst a complex security crisis. IS factions in Africa have become prominent militant forces following the disintegration of the IS caliphate in Syria and Iraq in 2017.