President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the killing of an ISIS top commander identified as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a fresh US-Nigeria joint operation.
In a statement signed by the President on Saturday, Tinubu noted that the operation was achieved “overnight”.
The confirmation came after President of the United States, Donald Trump late Friday via his Truth Social Platform, noted that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the terrorist group’s second-in-command globally, had been eliminated.
According to the US president, the operation was executed by “brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria” and successfully eliminated what he described as “the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield.”
Trump noted that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki had been hiding in Africa while coordinating terrorist activities linked to the Islamic State group.
“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 wrote.
He added that the ISIS leader “will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” stressing that the operation had significantly weakened the global network of the terrorist organisation.
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” Trump said, while also thanking the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission.
“Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” the US president added.
READ ALSO: US, Nigerian Forces Kill ISIS Second In Command — Trump
Reacting to the development, President Tinubu noted that the feat is 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.
“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”, Tinubu said.
The President appreciated the partnership with the United States in advancing shared security objectives.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.
“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”, Tinubu said.
