Islamic State Leader Killed in U.S. Strikes in Nigeria

President Donald Trump and Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinub confirmed Saturday morning joint strikes on Islamic State leadership in Nigeria. The president claims that the strikes killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the “second in command of ISIS globally.”

Prior to leadership in the Islamic State (ISIL or ISIS), al-Minuki is alleged to have been a member of the jihadi group Boko Haram. He is also alleged to have overseen kidnappings and attacks against “ethnic and religious minorities” in Nigeria. The Nigerian military claimed in 2024 to have killed al-Minuki, though “it is not clear,” according to the New York Times, whether that was a premature claim or applied to a different person of the same name.

The U.S. has conducted operations in Nigeria since last December. The U.S. has been training Nigerian forces and aiding them with surveillance, in addition to conducting missile strikes last December. American involvement has been prompted in part by lobbying from the Nigerian government and Christian groups concerned over persecution inside the country.