President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
According to a statement issued from the Presidential Villa on Friday, the operation was carried out overnight by the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with the United States military, targeting the terrorist leader’s compound in the troubled Lake Chad region.
Tinubu described the mission as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against terrorism, saying the operation dealt a “heavy blow” to Islamic State fighters operating within the region.
“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants,” the president said.
He commended the professionalism and bravery of personnel involved in the operation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining military pressure against terrorist groups threatening national and regional security.
The president also expressed appreciation to the United States for its continued support in counterterrorism efforts, specifically thanking U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as unwavering cooperation.
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives,” Tinubu stated.
The Lake Chad Basin remains one of the major hotspots of insurgent activities linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), with military operations intensifying across the region in recent years.
Security analysts say the reported killing of Al-Manuki represents one of the most significant blows against ISIS-linked networks in West Africa in recent times, although authorities have yet to release full operational details.
Tinubu Confirms Killing of ISIS Commander in Joint Lake Chad Operation
