United States President Donald Trump has commended the Nigerian government and the Armed Forces following a joint counterterrorism operation that reportedly eliminated a senior ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.
Trump disclosed the development on Saturday through a post on his Truth Social account, describing the mission as a highly coordinated operation executed by American and Nigerian troops.
“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote.
According to the US president, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was regarded as ISIS’s second-in-command globally and was allegedly coordinating terrorist activities from Africa.
“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump stated, adding that the operation had significantly weakened the terrorist group’s global network.
Trump also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for its collaboration in the operation.
The latest development highlights the growing military and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism and insurgency across West Africa.
The operation comes months after Trump criticised Nigerian authorities over insecurity, accusing the government of failing to adequately protect Christians from attacks by extremist groups.
Following those comments, the Trump administration redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations relating to insecurity and religious persecution.
However, Nigerian authorities have repeatedly rejected claims of religious genocide, maintaining that terrorism and banditry affect both Christians and Muslims across the country.
On December 25 last year, the United States reportedly launched strikes on suspected Islamist targets in northwestern Nigeria after Trump’s earlier remarks on insecurity.
Security cooperation between both nations further deepened in February 2026, when discussions reportedly included plans for a drone refuelling station as part of a broader defence partnership between Washington and Abuja.
In March, the US also deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones alongside about 200 military personnel to Nigeria to support operations through intelligence sharing and training.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters had earlier confirmed plans for joint military exercises and intelligence-based operations between Nigerian and American forces aimed at tackling extremist groups operating in the region.
Security analysts say the latest operation underscores expanding military ties between both countries amid rising concerns over insurgency and transnational terrorism in West Africa.
Author
About The Author
