Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, working in coordination with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), have killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, described by military authorities as the Islamic State’s second-in-command globally and the most senior ISWAP leader operating across the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer, Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Sani Uba, the high-profile counter-terrorism mission was carried out in Metele, Borno State, during a precision air-land assault that lasted from about 12:01 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
It was gathered that the operation followed months of intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance, which confirmed that Al-Minuki and several senior terrorist commanders were operating from a concealed and fortified enclave within Sector 3 of the North East theatre.
Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, had previously been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States Department of State in June 2023 under Executive Order 13224.
He was accused of serving within ISIS’s General Directorate of Provinces, where he allegedly coordinated international funding and operational support for terror networks in the Sahel and Northern Borno.
The military said the operation involved coordinated air strikes and ground troop deployments designed to block escape routes and secure the target area.
Special Forces teams were also deployed to provide perimeter security and support extraction operations if required.
Authorities described the mission as one of the most significant counter-terrorism successes recorded in the North East since the establishment of Operation HADIN KAI.
“The operation was executed with zero casualties or loss of assets,” the statement said, attributing the outcome to detailed planning, tactical coordination and growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Several of Al-Minuki’s lieutenants and multiple fighters were also reportedly killed during the raid, while battle damage assessment and follow-on clearance operations remain ongoing.
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Troops are currently conducting exploitation operations aimed at dismantling suspected splinter cells and preventing regrouping efforts by insurgents in the region.
The statement further noted that US President Donald J. Trump acknowledged the success of the operation and commended the partnership between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism.
Operation HADIN KAI said the latest offensive sends a strong message to insurgent groups operating in the North East that “terrorists will find neither sanctuary nor safety” in the region.
However, an investigation by First Daily correspondent revealed that the Nigerian Army had in February, 2024, reported the killing of the ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
Contacting a senior army officer, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the 2024 report by the Nigerian Army was due to wrong identification.
According to the Lt, since then the army has been struggling to eliminate Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.