Tinubu Confirms Killing of ISIS Leader in Joint Nigeria–US Military Operation

President Tinubu confirms the killing of senior ISIS commander Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki during a joint Nigeria–US military operation in the Lake Chad Basin, describing the mission as a major victory against terrorism.

By Folarin Aluko

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

In a statement personally signed on Saturday, the Nigerian president described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against terrorism and a strong example of growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

According to Tinubu, Nigerian troops working alongside members of the U.S. Armed Forces carried out what he called a “daring joint operation” that dealt a significant blow to the Islamic State’s operations in the region.

The president said preliminary intelligence assessments confirmed that Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki also known as Abu-Mainok was killed alongside several of his senior lieutenants during a coordinated strike on a militant compound located within the Lake Chad Basin area.

The Lake Chad region, which stretches across parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has remained one of the most volatile security zones in Africa due to years of insurgent activity linked to extremist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State-affiliated factions.

Tinubu praised the professionalism and coordination displayed by both Nigerian and American forces during the operation, describing the mission as an important step toward restoring security and weakening terrorist networks operating in the North-East.

“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives,” Tinubu said in the statement. “I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”

The president also commended military personnel involved in the mission, stating that the successful strike demonstrates the growing effectiveness of international security cooperation against extremist threats.

Security analysts say the reported killing of Al-Manuki represents a potentially significant setback for Islamic State-linked militants operating around the Lake Chad Basin, where armed groups have continued to launch attacks against military formations, humanitarian workers, and civilian communities.

The operation comes amid renewed military offensives across Nigeria’s North-East, where security forces have intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist camps, disrupt supply routes, and target senior militant commanders.

For years, the region has faced persistent instability caused by insurgency, mass displacement, kidnappings, and attacks on rural communities. Millions of people across the wider Lake Chad area have been affected by the conflict, creating one of Africa’s most prolonged humanitarian crises.

Military experts note that while the elimination of high-ranking commanders can weaken insurgent coordination temporarily, extremist groups often attempt to reorganize quickly by appointing new leaders and intensifying retaliatory attacks.

The latest operation also highlights the increasing role of intelligence-sharing, surveillance cooperation, and joint military coordination between Nigeria and international allies in combating terrorism across West Africa.

Observers say Tinubu’s public acknowledgment of U.S. involvement reflects deeper security cooperation between both governments at a time when regional instability, cross-border insurgency, and extremist expansion remain major concerns for African and Western policymakers alike.

As military operations continue across the North-East and the wider Lake Chad region, Nigerian authorities say efforts remain focused on dismantling all terrorist enclaves and restoring long-term stability to affected communities.