ISIS deputy leader killed in joint US-Nigerian operation: Trump

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-highest-ranking leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), was killed in a joint military operation carried out by US and Nigerian forces in Nigeria.

In a post shared Friday (May 15) on Truth Social, Trump said the “highly coordinated and precise operation” was conducted by “brave American forces” alongside the Nigerian military, targeting what he called “one of the world’s most active terrorists.”

According to Trump, al-Minuki had been operating from Africa while continuing to direct extremist activities, and US intelligence agencies had been closely tracking his movements. He praised the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission, though no details regarding the exact location or timing of the operation were disclosed.

The US State Department had designated al-Minuki as a global terrorist in 2023. Trump claimed his death would deal a significant blow to ISIS operations worldwide.

Nigeria has long struggled with insurgency and violence linked to extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated factions operating in the country’s northeast region.

Nigerian authorities have repeatedly stated that these groups target both Muslim and Christian communities.

The United States has maintained limited military involvement in Nigeria in recent years, primarily focused on intelligence-sharing and technical support. In 2025, US forces also carried out an airstrike against ISIS targets in Nigeria’s Sokoto State during the Christmas period.