By Bavoriat Clara
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with United States forces, have neutralised a senior ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the world’s most active terrorists, in a coordinated counterterrorism operation.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters said the operation was carried out through a recently strengthened Nigeria-United States partnership focused on intelligence sharing and joint counterterrorism efforts. According to the statement, the operation marks a major breakthrough in efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism across Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and beyond.
The Defence Headquarters stated that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was a key operational and strategic figure within ISIS, responsible for providing guidance to ISIS-linked groups outside Nigeria on media operations, economic warfare, as well as the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives and drones. It added that his elimination had disrupted a major coordination network used by ISIS to direct operations across different parts of the world.
According to intelligence reports cited in the statement, Minuki was believed to have been elevated in February 2026 to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second most senior figure in the global ISIS hierarchy. Before then, he reportedly served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked activities across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks targeting civilians and ethnic and religious minority communities.
The military further linked the slain terrorist commander to the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of more than 100 schoolgirls and revealed that between 2015 and 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya in support of ISIS operations in North Africa.
The statement also noted that before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, Minuki was a prominent Boko Haram leader.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling terrorist networks, protecting civilians and ensuring lasting peace and stability, while commending the professionalism and gallantry of personnel involved in the operation as well as the continued support of United States forces.
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