Nigerian and United States military Saturday night struck a compound in the Lake Chad Basin, killing a senior Islamic State leader and several of his lieutenants, President Bola Tinubu confirmed in a statement.
The operation targeted Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki—also referred to by security services as Abu-Mainok—who Nigeria’s government described as a wanted senior figure in the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).
President Tinubu said “Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.”
Officials on both sides called the operation a milestone in bilateral counterterrorism cooperation.
Early assessments from military authorities indicated that Al-Manuki and multiple associates were eliminated in the strike, which Nigerian officials said was conducted “working closely” with U.S. forces.
President Tinubu has expressed appreciation for the partnership with the United States in advancing the country’s shared security objectives,”
He extended “sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support,” and praised personnel on both sides for their “professionalism and courage,” adding that he expected more “decisive strikes” against terrorist enclaves.
“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” President said in the brief statement.
NewsQuest reports that the joint action further indicates an intensifying security partnership between the United States and Nigeria as both countries seek to degrade Islamic State-affiliated groups that have flourished in the Lake Chad region and the broader Sahel.
US and Nigeria have publicly emphasized intelligence-sharing, training and limited strike support as elements of their cooperation in recent months, part of a broader American effort to contain transnational extremist groups in Africa without large-scale troop commitments.
