Donald Trump claimed on Friday that a joint US–Nigerian military operation in Africa has killed Abu‑Bilal al‑Minuki, described by Washington as the 'second in command of ISIS globally' and 'the most active terrorist in the world.' Posting on his Truth Social platform, the US president said the mission was 'flawlessly executed' and hailed Nigeria's role, even as officials in Abuja maintained a conspicuous silence.
Mounting concern over Islamic State's spread across Africa, particularly through the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, which has entrenched itself around the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel. In 2023, the US Treasury named al‑Minuki also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al‑Mainuki a specially designated global terrorist, accusing him of orchestrating IS‑linked groups stretching into Niger, Chad and Mali and funnelling money and orders across borders.
