- President Bola Tinubu has officially confirmed the killing of high-ranking Islamic State commander Abu-牢ilal Al-Manuki (also known as Abu-Mainok) during a precision strike in the Lake Chad Basin.
- The counter-terrorism operation was executed as a collaborative mission between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and United States special forces, drawing praise from both Abuja and Washington.
- Identified by US intelligence as the global second-in-command of ISIS, Al-Manuki’s death alongside several key lieutenants is expected to significantly disrupt the group’s regional and international operations.
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday issued a personally signed statement confirming the successful neutralization of global Islamic State deputy leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, in a joint tactical operation by Nigerian and United States forces.
Eko Hot Blog the high-value target, widely known within regional networks as Abu-Mainok, was killed alongside multiple top lieutenants during a coordinated raid on his fortified compound situated within the Lake Chad Basin.
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President Tinubu described the breakthrough as a stellar manifestation of effective bilateral defense coordination aimed at dismantling extremist enclaves in West Africa.
Expressing formal appreciation to US President Donald Trump for his administration’s unwavering intelligence and strategic support, Tinubu lauded the exceptional courage and professionalism displayed by the combat personnel on both sides.
The operation follows an intensified offensive by regional forces in the North-East, where remnants of Islamic State-linked factions have repeatedly attempted to disrupt civilian communities and border security.
The successful strike marks a critical milestone in securing the vulnerable maritime borders of the Lake Chad region.
The announcement complements an earlier confirmation by US President Donald Trump, who revealed on Truth Social that American intelligence had tracked Al-Manuki’s movements despite his attempts to conceal his operations on the African continent.
Al-Manuki, who had been under strict US Treasury sanctions since 2023 for financing and directing global terror operations, was described by Washington as one of the world’s most active security threats.
Security analysts indicate that the synchronization of this operation reflects a deepened commitment to intelligence sharing and direct combat synergy between Washington and Abuja.
