President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially confirmed the successful elimination of senior ISIS leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigerian and United States forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
The confirmation comes hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American and Nigerian troops had jointly executed a major operation against the terror group in Africa.
In a statement issued from Aso Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu described the operation as a “significant example of effective collaboration” between both countries in the ongoing war against terrorism.
According to the President, the operation was carried out overnight by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the United States, resulting in the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki and several of his lieutenants during a strike on their compound in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” Tinubu stated.
“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 expressed appreciation to the United States for its partnership in advancing shared security goals and specifically thanked Trump for his leadership and support.
Tinubu also commended military personnel from both countries for what he described as professionalism and courage during the operation, while pledging continued military offensives against terrorist enclaves across Nigeria.
“I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” he added.
The development has triggered widespread reactions across Nigeria and social media, with many Nigerians hailing the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, especially in the troubled Lake Chad region where extremist groups have remained active for years.