Tinubu confirms killing Of top ISIS leader In joint Nigeria–US operation In Lake Chad Basin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, in a joint military operation carried out by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

In a statement personally signed on Saturday, the President described the operation as a major milestone in counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries, noting that it demonstrated “effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.”

According to him, Nigerian troops, working alongside the United States Armed Forces, conducted “a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”

Tinubu added that preliminary intelligence assessments confirmed the elimination of the IS senior leader along with several of his associates during a targeted strike on his hideout in the Lake Chad region.

“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” he said.

The President commended the military personnel involved in the operation, describing their conduct as professional and courageous, while pledging continued offensives against terrorist enclaves across the country.

“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” he stated.

The development follows renewed military operations against insurgent groups in the North-East and Lake Chad axis, where IS-affiliated factions have sustained attacks on security forces and rural communities.

United States President Donald Trump also confirmed the operation on his Truth Social platform, describing Al-Manuki as a high-value target and one of the most active terrorist figures globally.

Trump said the operation, conducted under his directive, involved “brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria” in a carefully coordinated mission that successfully eliminated the militant leader.

He added that Al-Manuki, who had been sanctioned by the United States in 2023, believed he could evade detection by hiding in Africa, but intelligence tracking made that impossible.

According to him, the killing of the ISIS commander has significantly weakened the group’s global operations and reduced its capacity to coordinate attacks.

The joint strike highlights deepening security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States as both nations intensify efforts to dismantle extremist networks across the Lake Chad Basin and wider West African region.

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