Trump says US and Nigerian forces killed ISIS second-in-command in Africa

US President Donald Trump said American and Nigerian forces killed the second in command of ISIS globally during a military operation in Africa.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the joint mission was flawlessly executed to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

The Nigerian military has not yet commented on the raid. If confirmed, the killing could mark another significant setback for the Islamic State group following the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019.

The BBC has contacted the US government and Nigerian authorities for comment.

Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, directed Islamic State-linked cells across Africa, particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province, which has entrenched itself in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel with cross-border links into Niger, Chad, and Mali.

Trump's message did not provide further details of the operation or the timeline of the joint mission.

Trump described his death as a major blow to the Islamic State's African and global networks, disrupting funding channels and command structures.

The US president thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership and said Minuki will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans.

Nigeria and the US have increased military cooperation as the country ramps up efforts to fight extremist violence.