The Nigerian Army has announced the successful neutralisation of Abu‑Bilal al‑Minuki, the Islamic State’s (ISIS) global second‑in‑command, in a landmark joint counter‑terrorism operation conducted under Operation HADIN KAI in close collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Precision Air‑Land Operation at Metele
Military authorities revealed that the operation began at 0001 hours and concluded at 0400 hours in Metele, Borno State.
It was the culmination of months of painstaking intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance, involving legal intercepts and sustained aerial monitoring.
Al‑Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al‑Mainuki, had been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the US Department of State in June 2023.
He was notorious for directing international funding streams and operational guidance to ISIS affiliates across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
That makes him one of the most dangerous figures in global jihadist networks.
The Nigerian Army confirmed that his fortified enclave in Metele was identified as a hub for coordinating attacks and financing terror cells.
In response, a synchronised air‑land assault was launched.
US air platforms carried out precision strikes while Nigerian Special Forces secured the perimeter, blocked escape routes, and prepared for rapid extraction.
Outcome of the Mission
- Abu‑Bilal al‑Minuki was confirmed neutralised.
- Several of his senior lieutenants and multiple combatants were eliminated.
- The operation recorded zero casualties or asset losses among Nigerian or US forces.
- Battle Damage Assessment is ongoing, with aggressive follow‑on exploitation operations targeting splinter cells to prevent regrouping.
The Army emphasised that the mission was executed with surgical precision, leaving the terrorists with no avenue of escape.
Strategic Significance
The Nigerian Military High Command authorised the mission, underscoring the highest level of institutional coordination and strategic decision‑making.
Officials described the outcome as the most consequential counter‑terrorism success in the North East Theatre since the inception of Operation HADIN KAI.
This operation not only removed a globally significant ISIS leader.
It also disrupted the chain of command and financing mechanisms that sustained insurgent activities in the Lake Chad Basin.
Analysts note that the elimination of al‑Minuki could weaken ISIS’s ability to project influence across West Africa.
International Reaction
President Donald J. Trump of the United States publicly commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria and AFRICOM, hailing the mission as a decisive blow against ISIS leadership in Africa.
The statement highlighted the growing partnership between Nigeria and the US in combating terrorism and stabilising the Sahel region.
The Nigerian Army declared that the operation reaffirms OPHK’s position as the foremost counter‑terrorism formation in sub‑Saharan Africa.
In its words: “Terrorists will find neither sanctuary nor safety within the North East Theatre.”
This success sends a powerful message to insurgent groups that Nigeria, working with its international partners, is committed to dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring peace and stability in the region.
