Inside The Operation: How Nigerian And US Forces Eliminated ISIS Leader Al-Minuki

The operation was first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Saturday.

Trump described the mission as a “complex operation” jointly executed by American and Nigerian troops.

According to a report by The New York Times, Al-Minuki was killed during a helicopter-led assault involving around two dozen Nigerian and American special operations forces, including members of the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team 6.

Citing three unnamed U.S. officials, the newspaper reported that the commandos launched the assault on two small islands within the Lake Chad Basin, where Al-Minuki and dozens of fighters were reportedly located.

Lake Chad borders Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, countries that have all faced prolonged insurgency and jihadist violence.

The report stated that the initial objective of the operation was to capture Al-Minuki alive.

However, officials reportedly decided to launch an airstrike after it became clear that the ISIS commander was unwilling to surrender and might escape.

The strikes were said to have targeted his compound within the Lake Chad Basin area.

According to the report, neither Nigerian nor American forces recorded casualties during the operation.

President Tinubu earlier confirmed that several top lieutenants linked to the ISIS commander were also killed during the raid.

The Nigerian president praised the cooperation between both countries and expressed optimism about future counterterrorism operations.

“I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” Tinubu said.

The New York Times further reported that investigators recovered electronic devices, including mobile phones and laptops, from the operation site.

The materials are reportedly being analysed by intelligence experts for information connected to ISIS recruitment, financing, communications, and operational activities in Africa and beyond.

The United States officially designated Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki as a specially designated global terrorist in 2023.

Before his death, he was reportedly involved in key operational responsibilities within the terrorist network, particularly in areas relating to international funding and strategic coordination.