The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that Nigeria military in collaboration with United States forces have successfully conducted a meticulously planned and highly coordinated counterterrorism operation resulting in the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS leader and one of the world’s most active terrorists.
Director, Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba in a statement issued Saturday noted that the precision operation was the result of the recently formed US – Nigeria partnership and intelligence sharing efforts.
He added: “Together, we have disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region.
“Our efforts represent a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and globally.
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was a key ISIS operational and strategic figure who provided guidance to ISIS entities outside Nigeria on matters relating to media operations, economic warfare and the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives and drones.
“His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world.
“Intelligence further indicates that, as recently as February 2026, Minuki may have been elevated to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, placing him the second most senior leader within the ISIS global hierarchy.”
Uba noted that prior to this, Minuki served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks against civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minority communities.
He stressed that the terrorist leader also maintained longstanding operational ties with ISIS-West Africa and was linked to the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of over 100 schoolgirls.
Uba said: “Intelligence records further show that between March 2015 and early 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya in support of ISIS operations in North Africa.
“Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, Minuki was also recognised as a prominent leader within Boko Haram.”