Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has announced the killing of senior ISIS figure Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, describing him as a “global terrorist” involved in coordinating extremist activities across several regions.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military said the operation was carried out jointly by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and United States forces during a carefully coordinated counterterrorism mission.
According to the statement, Al-Minuki played a major operational and strategic role within ISIS, providing direction to affiliated groups outside Nigeria on media operations, economic warfare, and the production of weapons, explosives, and drones. The military said his death disrupts a major channel through which ISIS coordinated activities globally.
The Defence Headquarters further revealed that intelligence reports suggested Al-Minuki may have been promoted in February 2026 to Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second-highest ranking figure in the ISIS hierarchy.
Before then, he reportedly served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based Emir of the al-Furqan GDP Office, where he supervised ISIS-linked operations across West Africa and the Sahel, including attacks targeting civilians and minority ethnic and religious groups.
The statement also linked Al-Minuki to ISIS-West Africa and the 2018 Dapchi abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls. Intelligence records further indicated that between 2015 and early 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya in support of ISIS activities in North Africa. Prior to pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, he was said to have been a prominent Boko Haram commander.
The military described the operation as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to combating terrorism and preventing extremist groups from threatening national and international security.
It also highlighted the significance of ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the United States through intelligence sharing and joint military efforts aimed at dismantling transnational terrorist networks.
The Defence Headquarters commended the personnel involved in the mission for their professionalism and bravery, while reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to continuing operations against terrorist groups and ensuring peace and stability across the country and the wider region.
