Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, working in collaboration with United States forces, has neutralised Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS commander described as one of the world’s most active terrorists and a key figure in the extremist group’s global operations.
The high-profile operation, executed through coordinated intelligence sharing and joint military action between Nigeria and the United States, marks a significant escalation in efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating across Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the operation successfully eliminated al-Minuki, an influential ISIS operative accused of coordinating international terrorist activities, overseeing weapons development, economic warfare and media operations for ISIS affiliates beyond Nigeria.
Military authorities disclosed that intelligence reports indicated the slain terrorist leader may recently have been elevated to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, effectively making him the second most senior figure within the global ISIS hierarchy.
Before his reported promotion, al-Minuki served as the Nigeria-based Emir of the al-Furqan GDP Office in 2023, supervising ISIS-linked activities across West Africa and the Sahel, including attacks targeting civilians and ethnic and religious minority communities.
Security sources further linked the terrorist commander to the 2018 Dapchi abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls, one of the most notorious mass kidnappings in Nigeria’s recent history.
The Defence Headquarters also revealed that between 2015 and early 2016, al-Minuki facilitated the movement of fighters into Libya to support ISIS operations in North Africa. Prior to aligning with ISIS in 2015, he was reportedly a prominent commander within Boko Haram.
The military described the operation as evidence of Nigeria’s growing resolve and operational capacity to confront terrorism and violent extremism through strategic international partnerships.
It added that the success of the mission underscored the importance of the recently strengthened Nigeria-United States security cooperation, particularly in intelligence gathering, counterterrorism coordination and precision military operations against transnational extremist networks.
Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, commended personnel involved in the operation for their gallantry and professionalism, while also appreciating the support of United States forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
The Armed Forces reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace and stability across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
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