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The Nigerian government has confirmed that its forces, working alongside the United States military, killed a senior Islamic State leader in a joint operation in the Lake Chad Basin, President Bola Tinubu announced on Saturday.
The statement from the presidency comes hours after US President Donald Trump first disclosed the operation on Truth Social, identifying the target as Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, the second-in-command of ISIS globally.
“Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism,” Tinubu said in a State House statement.
“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.”
Al-Manuki killed alongside lieutenants
“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin,” the president said.
Trump earlier wrote on Truth Social that American and Nigerian forces had “flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission.”
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” Trump said.
Tinubu thanks Trump, pledges more strikes
Tinubu expressed gratitude for Washington’s partnership.
“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.
“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.”
Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded 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…
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) May 16, 2026
The operation marks a significant escalation in counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, which has deepened in recent months amid growing concerns over ISWAP and other extremist groups operating in the Lake Chad region.
The Nigerian statement did not specify when the operation took place or provide additional details about the strike. No information was given on casualties among Nigerian or US forces.
Trump said Al-Manuki “will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” he added.
