President Donald Trump announced late Friday that U.S. forces working with Nigerian troops killed a top ISIS commander in a coordinated counterterrorism operation across Africa.
Trump said the strike targeted Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he identified as ISIS’s second-in-command and the group’s most active operational figure. The operation was conducted at Trump’s direction in coordination with Nigeria’s armed forces, according to a post on Truth Social.
What Happened
“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote. U.S. Africa Command confirmed the strike and said early assessments indicate additional ISIS leaders were also killed.
AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson said the operation highlighted the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership. “This operation underscores the exceptional value of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and was made possible through the cooperation and coordination of our forces in recent months,” he stated.
International Response
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised the joint operation as “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.” “Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” Tinubu said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tied the strike to Trump’s stated commitment to protect Christians in Nigeria from extremist violence. “Back in November 2025, President Trump declared to the world that we will help protect Christians in Nigeria and instructed the Department of War to prepare for action,” Hegseth wrote on X.
Broader Military Engagement
The strike marks another significant counterterrorism action by the Trump administration in Africa. In December, Trump described a previous U.S. military strike in northwest Nigeria as a “Christmas present” after multiple militants were reportedly killed in operations targeting ISIS camps.
The latest operation reflects sustained American military engagement against ISIS affiliates across Africa, where extremist groups have expanded their presence in recent years. Both the U.S. and Nigeria have committed to pursuing terrorist threats in the region.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Africa and Defense teams contributed to this report.
