Trump Announces Elimination of ISIS Second in Command

Washington DC, May 16: US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that American forces, working alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces, carried out a successful military operation that eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the global terror group ISIS.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump described the mission as “meticulously planned” and said the targeted operation was conducted in Africa, where the ISIS leader had allegedly been hiding.

According to Trump, intelligence sources closely tracked al-Minuki’s activities before the strike was launched. He said the operation significantly weakened the terror organisation’s global network and prevented further attacks against civilians and American interests.

Trump also acknowledged the support of the Nigerian government and military in carrying out the mission.

The US State Department had designated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in June 2023 during the administration of former President Joe Biden. He was reportedly known by multiple aliases, including Abubakar Mainok and Abor Mainok, and was accused of coordinating extremist operations linked to ISIS.

The development comes amid continuing security concerns in Nigeria. Earlier this year, ISIS claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Adamawa state that left at least 29 people dead after gunmen stormed the Guyaku community in Gombi Local Government Area.

The United States had also conducted an anti-terror strike in northwest Nigeria in December last year, targeting militants accused of attacks on Christian communities.

In another major incident linked to militancy, more than 20 people were killed in June 2025 after attackers targeted the home village of a Nigerian bishop days after he testified before the US Congress regarding violence against Christians in the country.