Inside The Mission: Nigerian Army Reveals How US-Nigeria Forces Took Down ISIS Leader

The Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, has confirmed the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, a top figure within the Islamic State group, during a joint military operation in Metele, Borno State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the military, the offensive was conducted in collaboration with the United States Africa Command.

In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, troops launched the assault after extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

He explained that the operation targeted a heavily fortified terrorist enclave located in the Metele axis of the Lake Chad Basin.

The military said the offensive led to the death of Al-Minuki, also identified as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, alongside several commanders and fighters linked to the extremist network.

According to the statement, Al-Minuki had previously been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States in June 2023 under Executive Order 13224 over allegations relating to the coordination of financing and operational support for extremist groups across the Sahel and Lake Chad region.

Operation Hadin Kai disclosed that the mission commenced at about 12:01 a.m. on May 16 and ended around 4:00 a.m., involving precision airstrikes supported by ground troops.

The task force added that special forces units were strategically deployed to block possible escape routes and reinforce the air component of the operation.

The military further stated that no casualties or equipment losses were recorded among participating troops during the mission.

It also noted that battle damage assessments and follow-up clearance operations were still ongoing in the area to locate and neutralise any surviving insurgents.

Operation Hadin Kai described the mission as a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East, adding that the successful strike would significantly weaken the operational capacity of the Islamic State West Africa Province and affiliated terrorist groups in the region.