The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the elimination of ISIS Deputy Leader, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in a joint operation by the Nigerian Army and the United States Army.
NPO earlier Reported the announcement of Abu-Bilal’s death in a post shared on Truth Social by the US President, Donald Trump.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Saturday by its Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, the DHQ disclosed that Abu-Bilal was a key ISIS operational and strategic figure.
He allegedly provided guidance to ISIS entities outside Nigeria on matters relating to media operations, economic warfare and the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives and drones.
“The precision operation was the result of our recently formed U.S. – Nigeria partnership and intelligence sharing efforts. Together, we have disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region.
“Our efforts represent a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and globally.
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was a key ISIS operational and strategic figure who provided guidance to ISIS entities outside Nigeria on matters relating to media operations, economic warfare and the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives and drones.” The statement partly read.
The DHQ held that his death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world.
It further highlighted Abu-Bilal’s roles in the ISIS as well as his contribution to series of attacks across the West African region.
“Intelligence further indicates that, as recently as February 2026, Minuki may have been elevated to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, placing him the second most senior leader within the ISIS global hierarchy.
“Prior to this, Minuki served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks against civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minority communities.
“The terrorist leader also maintained longstanding operational ties with ISIS-West Africa and was linked to the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of over 100 schoolgirls.
“Intelligence records further show that between March 2015 and early 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya in support of ISIS operations in North Africa.” The DHQ wrote.
Meanwhile, before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, Minuki was also recognized as a prominent leader within Boko Haram.