The Armed Forces of Nigeria, working with United States forces, have killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS commander described as one of the group’s most active global figures.
The Defence Headquarters announced the development in a statement issued on Saturday, May 16, 2026, by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.
According to the statement, the operation followed a carefully planned and coordinated counterterrorism mission built on the recently strengthened Nigeria-United States security partnership and intelligence-sharing framework.
The Defence Headquarters said the mission disrupted a violent terrorist network that posed threats to Nigeria, the wider West African region, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel and global security.
Minuki was described as a key operational and strategic figure within ISIS. He reportedly provided direction to ISIS-linked entities outside Nigeria on media operations, economic warfare, weapons development, explosives production and drone manufacturing.
The military said his death removed a critical coordination point through which ISIS directed operations across several regions.
According to intelligence cited by the Defence Headquarters, Minuki may have been elevated in February 2026 to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second most senior leader in the ISIS global hierarchy.
Before then, he reportedly served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa. These included attacks on civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minority communities.
The Defence Headquarters also linked Minuki to ISIS-West Africa and the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping, in which more than 100 schoolgirls were abducted.
The statement further said intelligence records showed that between March 2015 and early 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya in support of ISIS operations in North Africa.
Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, Minuki was also said to have held a prominent leadership position within Boko Haram.
The Armed Forces said the operation demonstrated Nigeria’s resolve to confront terrorism and deny extremist groups the capacity to threaten national, regional and international security.
It also said the success of the mission showed the importance of Nigeria-United States collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated military action in countering transnational terrorist networks.
The Defence Headquarters commended the gallantry, professionalism and dedication of all personnel involved in the operation. It also expressed appreciation for the continued partnership and support of United States forces in the fight against terrorism.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria said they would sustain operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, protecting civilians and promoting lasting peace and stability across the country and the wider region.
