By Chioma Vivian James
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, working in close collaboration with United States forces, have announced the successful elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS commander described as one of the world’s most active and dangerous terrorists, in a landmark counterterrorism operation.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the operation was the outcome of a carefully coordinated intelligence-sharing partnership recently strengthened between Nigeria and the United States.
Military officials described the mission as a decisive blow against transnational terrorism and a major step forward in efforts to restore security across Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and beyond.
Defence authorities revealed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki played a central role within the global ISIS structure, serving as a key operational strategist responsible for advising ISIS affiliates outside Nigeria on media propaganda, economic warfare, weapons production, explosives and drone technology.
Security intelligence further suggested that, recently in February 2026, Minuki may have risen to become Head of the General Directorate of States effectively making him the second most senior figure in the ISIS global hierarchy.
Military intelligence records indicate that Minuki had longstanding ties to terrorist operations across West Africa and North Africa.
Before aligning with ISIS in 2015, he was known as a prominent Boko Haram commander. Between 2015 and early 2016, he reportedly facilitated the movement of fighters into Libya to support ISIS operations in North Africa.
Authorities also linked him to several deadly extremist activities across the region, including the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of more than 100 schoolgirls. In 2023, he reportedly served as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks targeting civilians and vulnerable ethnic and religious minority communities.
The Defence Headquarters described his elimination as the removal of a critical figure who coordinated and directed terrorist operations across multiple regions of the world.
Military officials emphasized that the success of the operation demonstrates Nigeria’s growing capability and unwavering determination to confront terrorism and dismantle extremist networks threatening national, regional and international security.
The operation also highlights the increasing strategic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorism through intelligence sharing, joint planning and coordinated military action.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria commended the courage, professionalism and dedication of all personnel involved in the mission and expressed appreciation to United States forces for their continued partnership and support in the collective fight against terrorism.
Defence authorities reaffirmed that ongoing military operations will continue to target terrorist strongholds, disrupt extremist infrastructure and protect civilians in pursuit of lasting peace and stability across Nigeria and the wider region.
