President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the successful elimination of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
According to a statement issued from the State House on Friday, the overnight operation was carried out by the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the United States as part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
The President described the mission as “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism,” noting that the strike targeted the terrorist leader’s compound and resulted in the death of several of his lieutenants.
“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, along with several of his lieutenants,” the statement said.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the United States for its partnership in advancing shared security objectives and specifically thanked President Donald Trump for his “leadership and unwavering support” in the operation.
The President also commended military personnel from both countries for their professionalism and courage during the mission.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining military pressure against terrorist groups operating across the country.
“I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” Tinubu stated.
The operation marks another major development in regional counterterrorism efforts within the Lake Chad Basin, an area long affected by insurgent activities linked to the Islamic State and other extremist groups.
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