Trump Says ISIS Deputy Leader Killed in Nigeria Raid

By Aurax Radio | May 16, 2026 | 2 min read

U.S. President Donald Trump said a senior Islamic State figure was killed during a joint U.S.-Nigerian military operation in Nigeria. Officials identified the target as Abu Bilal al-Minuki, described by U.S. authorities as a high-ranking leader within the Islamic State network.

Armed Nigerian soldiers patrolling a rural road in northern Nigeria

Nigerian security forces patrol a community in northern Nigeria after a joint counterterrorism operation targeting Islamic State-linked militants. File Image

U.S. and Nigerian officials said Abu Bilal al-Minuki was killed during a coordinated military operation in northern Nigeria targeting fighters linked to the Islamic State group. The operation was carried out with support from American intelligence and in cooperation with Nigerian security forces battling armed groups in the region.

Trump announced the development on social media Friday, describing al-Minuki as one of the top leaders within the Islamic State organization. U.S. officials later confirmed the operation and said the militant had played a key role in coordinating activities tied to the group’s operations in West Africa and beyond.

The Islamic State and affiliated extremist organizations have remained active across parts of Nigeria and neighboring countries despite years of military campaigns aimed at weakening insurgent networks. Armed groups connected to the organization have carried out attacks on villages, military positions and civilians, contributing to a prolonged security crisis in the Lake Chad Basin region.

Nigerian authorities have increasingly relied on intelligence-sharing and military cooperation with international partners to combat insurgent violence. Security analysts say operations targeting senior militant leaders are intended to disrupt planning, financing and recruitment activities within extremist organizations.

The United States has maintained counterterrorism partnerships across Africa for years, providing training, surveillance support and logistical assistance to regional forces confronting armed groups linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaida. American officials have not publicly released further operational details about the mission or whether additional militants were killed.

The reported death of al-Minuki comes as extremist violence continues to threaten civilian populations and regional stability across West Africa. Humanitarian agencies have warned that ongoing insecurity has displaced millions of people and complicated relief efforts in affected communities.

Sources: Information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Fox News and Reuters

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