U.S. Strike in Nigeria Kills ISIS Leader Abu Bilal al Minuki

On May 16, 2026, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a military operation in northeastern Nigeria that led to the elimination of senior ISIS leader Abu Bilal al Minuki.

The operation was described as a coordinated effort between U.S. forces and the Nigerian military, reflecting strong military cooperation under the Trump administration. Gen.

Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, stated that the mission demonstrated the partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria in combating terrorism. The operation resulted in the death of multiple ISIS leaders, with no U.S. service members harmed.

President Bola Tinubu previously characterized the operation as a daring joint effort that inflicted significant losses on the ISIS network in the region. The release of the footage comes as Nigeria continues its counterterrorism operations targeting extremist groups in the northeastern part of the country and the wider Lake Chad Basin.