WASHINGTON: US and Nigerian forces have killed a senior leader of the Islamic State group in Nigeria during a mission conducted on Friday, US President Donald Trump announced. In a late-night social media post, Trump identified the deceased as Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, who he described as the second-in-command of the Islamic State group globally. Trump stated that al-Mainuki believed he could evade capture by hiding in Africa, but US intelligence sources kept track of his activities.
Details of the Operation
Al-Mainuki was considered a key figure in the Islamic State's organizational and financial operations, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official added that al-Mainuki had been actively plotting attacks against the United States and its interests. The joint operation took place in the Lake Chad Basin, a region that has been a hotspot for militant activity.
Nigerian Government Confirmation
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the operation, stating that al-Mainuki was killed alongside several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin. Tinubu praised the cooperation between Nigerian and US forces, calling it a significant blow to terrorist networks in the region.
This operation marks the latest collaboration between the two countries under a new security partnership that began in 2025. The partnership was initiated after Trump claimed that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria's security crisis and threatened US military intervention. The joint efforts have since focused on neutralizing militant threats and stabilizing the region.
The killing of al-Mainuki is seen as a major victory in the fight against the Islamic State, which continues to have a presence in parts of Africa despite losing territory in the Middle East. US and Nigerian officials have vowed to continue their cooperation to ensure the safety of both nations and their allies.
