On May 16, 2026, President Donald Trump revealed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the 'most active terrorist in the world', was killed during a complex operation involving both US and Nigerian military forces.
This announcement was made via social media, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two nations in combating terrorism.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the operation, underscoring the significance of this mission in the ongoing fight against the Islamic State in West Africa.
Updates
Update at 08:45 UTC on 2026-05-16
France 24 reported Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Saturday confirmed President Donald Trump's announcement that US and Nigerian forces killed a senior Islamic State (IS) group senior leader in a joint mission in the West African nation. NPR News reported Trump announced the joint operation in Africa's most populous country in a late-night social media post. He said Abu Bakr al-Mainuki was second in command of the Islamic State group globally. Le Monde reported Abu Bakr al-Mainuki was the Islamic State group's second-in-command and was considered a key figure in the organization's finances. On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced his death on social media.
Sources: France 24, NPR News, Le Monde