The Nigeria military and the United States Africa Command assassinated Abu Bilal Al Minuki, ISIS’s second-in-command during a coordinated military operation in Lake Chad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the news in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Saturday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out with precise planning and successful execution by both countries’ armed forces.
According to the ministry, the operation took place a few hours earlier and targeted Abu Bilal Al Minuki, who is suspected of being involved in multiple recent attacks on military installations in the Northeast.
According to the statement, the successful operation demonstrated Nigeria’s and the United States’ expanding security collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
The Ministry also praised President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to national security and thanked the US government for its assistance in counterterrorism efforts.
It reads in parts, “A joint operation by the Nigerian military and the United States Africa Command has killed Abu Bilal Al Minuki, the second in command of ISIS, in the Lake Chad area. The operation was carried out a few hours ago after meticulous planning and successful execution by the armed forces of the two countries,” the statement read.
“Abu Bilal Al Minuki was responsible for some of the recent attacks on military formations in the Northeast.”
“Special thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his commitment to keeping Nigeria safe, and high commendations to the Government of the United States of America for their partnership and support in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.”
