The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS leader and one of the world’s most active terrorists.
The high-profile neutralization was executed through a joint precision operation by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States military.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the operation was the direct result of a recently strengthened U.S.–Nigeria partnership and intensive intelligence-sharing efforts designed to disrupt violent extremist networks.
Intelligence reports reveal that al-Minuki was a massive prize, having potentially been elevated in February 2026 to the Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second most senior leader in the global ISIS hierarchy.
Before this promotion, he served as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, directing operations across the Sahel and West Africa.
As a critical operational and strategic node, he provided global ISIS entities with vital guidance on media operations, economic warfare, and the manufacturing of advanced weaponry, explosives, and drones.
Al-Minuki’s bloody trajectory in the region spans over a decade, beginning with his time as a prominent leader within Boko Haram before he pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015.
He was directly linked to the infamous 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of more than 100 schoolgirls and facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya to bolster ISIS operations in North Africa.
His leadership was marked by relentless attacks against civilians, specifically targeting ethnic and religious minority communities across the Lake Chad Basin and the broader Sahel.
Following the breakthrough, the Defence Headquarters commended the gallantry, professionalism, and dedication of the personnel involved, while expressing deep appreciation for the continued support of U.S. forces.
The DHQ emphasized that this successful operation underscores Nigeria’s unwavering resolve to confront transnational terrorism and deny extremist groups the ability to threaten global security.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated their steadfast commitment to dismantling terrorist infrastructure and ensuring lasting peace and stability across the region.
