Defence Headquarters Confirms Killing of ISIS Leader Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki in Joint US-Nigeria Operation

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the killing of senior ISIS leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, describing him as a “global terrorist” and one of the most active figures in the organisation.

In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters said Al-Minuki was eliminated during a carefully planned and highly coordinated counterterrorism operation carried out by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with United States forces.

According to the statement, Al-Minuki was a key operational and strategic figure within ISIS and played a major role in providing direction to ISIS-linked groups outside Nigeria.

The Defence Headquarters said he was involved in media operations, economic warfare, and the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives and drones.

“His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world,” the statement read.

The military also disclosed that intelligence indicated Al-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 global ISIS hierarchy.

Before then, he reportedly served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, where he oversaw ISIS-linked activities across the Sahel and West Africa.

The Defence Headquarters said those operations included attacks against civilians, especially ethnic and religious minority communities.

The statement added that Al-Minuki had long-standing operational links with ISIS-West Africa and was also connected to the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction, in which more than 100 students were kidnapped.

According to intelligence records, he also helped move fighters to Libya between March 2015 and early 2016 to support ISIS operations in North Africa.

Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, Al-Minuki was reportedly a prominent leader within Boko Haram.

The Defence Headquarters said the successful operation demonstrated Nigeria’s determination to confront terrorism and prevent extremist groups from threatening national, regional and global security.

It also said the operation highlighted the importance of Nigeria-United States cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated military action in defeating transnational terrorist networks.

The Armed Forces commended the courage, professionalism and dedication of all personnel involved in the mission.

It also appreciated the continued partnership and support of the United States forces in the fight against terrorism.

The Defence Headquarters assured Nigerians that the military remains committed to dismantling terrorist infrastructure, protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace and stability across the country and the wider region.