Trump says U.S. has killed Islamic State leader in Nigeria
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- President Trump announced that U.S. and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a top Islamic State leader, in a complex operation near Lake Chad Basin, significantly weakening ISIS's global operations.
- Al-Minuki, described as ISIS's second-in-command worldwide and the most active terrorist, was a Nigerian native and a senior official overseeing ISIS activities in Africa's Sahel region.
- The Nigerian president's office confirmed the elimination of al-Minuki and several of his lieutenants, labeling the mission as a highly coordinated counterterrorism effort.
- Al-Minuki was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2023 and had been involved in directing ISIS operations and funding globally through the group's General Directorate of Provinces.
- Despite territorial losses since 2017, ISIS and its affiliates remain active in parts of the Middle East and Africa, with recent attacks reported in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.