U.S. President Donald Trump announced on February 28 that American and Nigerian forces conducted a complex joint operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the global deputy leader of the Islamic State (ISIS).
On Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'Tonight, on my orders, the courageous U.S. forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a carefully planned and highly complex operation to remove the world's most active terrorist from the battlefield.'
Trump called al-Minuki 'the world's most active terrorist.' The individual had been on a U.S. sanctions list since 2023 for his ties to ISIS.
'Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the global #2 of ISIS, thought he could hide in Africa, but he did not know that we have constantly updated intelligence on his activities,' the U.S. president added.
According to Trump's statement, al-Minuki 'will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plot attacks against Americans.' He emphasized: 'With his removal, the global activity of ISIS has been significantly diminished.'
Trump also expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the operation.
Details of the operation are still being updated.
