The Nigerian Military has released fresh details after a joint operation with United States forces reportedly killed notorious ISIS commander Abu Bilal al Minuki, a man Nigerian authorities had earlier claimed was eliminated in 2024.
According to reports from the United States and Nigeria, Abu Bilal al Minuki, also known as Abu Mainok, was killed during a major counterterrorism strike in the Lake Chad Basin. US President Donald Trump described him as the second in command of ISIS globally and one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also confirmed the operation, calling it a major success against terrorism.
The development has drawn attention because the Nigerian Military had previously listed Abu Bilal Minuki among terrorist commanders reportedly killed between January and March 2024. At the time, authorities announced that several top insurgent figures had been eliminated during military offensives across the northeast.
Other names earlier released by the military included Haruna Isiya Boderi, Kachallah Damina, Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi, Kachallah Kabiru, Kachallah Azarailu, Kachallah Balejo, Ubangida and Alhaji Baldu.
The latest joint mission involving US and Nigerian forces now appears to confirm that Abu Bilal al Minuki remained active long after earlier reports of his death. Officials said the recent operation targeted his compound during a carefully planned night raid that also killed several of his lieutenants without losses to allied forces.
Security analysts say the killing could deal a major blow to ISIS linked operations in West Africa, especially in the Lake Chad region where extremist groups have carried out deadly attacks for years
