A major counterterrorism breakthrough has been recorded as President Bola Tinubu announces the killing of a senior Islamic State leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, during a joint Nigeria–US military operation in the Lake Chad region. The operation, which was carried out in the early hours of Saturday, reportedly targeted a compound linked to the extremist commander in the Lake Chad Basin, an area long affected by insurgent activity.
According to the President, Nigerian troops worked alongside United States forces in what he described as a carefully coordinated mission that delivered a significant blow to Islamic State networks operating in the region.
Tinubu stated that early assessments confirmed the elimination of Al-Manuki along with several of his close lieutenants during the strike.
He also said the operation reflects growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, and praised the professionalism of the forces involved. The development comes amid intensified military pressure on insurgent groups in the North-East, where Islamic State-linked factions have continued to operate despite ongoing counterterrorism campaigns.
United States President Donald Trump had earlier confirmed the operation, describing the targeted commander as a high-level terrorist figure and praising the joint effort between both countries. Military authorities say further assessments are ongoing to determine the full impact of the strike on insurgent operations in the Lake Chad region.
