The article details the significance of the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was the global second-in-command of the Islamic State group, in the Nigerian and US counter-terrorism campaign against jihadist groups. It also highlights the need for sustained intelligence-led precision attacks to counteract ISWAP and efforts to localise their access to funds, weapons, and new membership.
Al-Minuki was placed under US sanctions in 2023, and in December 2025, US and Nigerian militaries killed the global second-in-command of the Islamic State group, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.
He was a leader in the jihadist Boko Haram group before pledging allegiance to IS in 2015 and overseeing IS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks against 'ethnic and religious minority communities'. He was responsible for recent attacks against the military in Nigeria. The US provided intelligence, assets, and other force enablers for the precision air-land operation.
Al-Minuki was tracked through his phones, and there was no ground offensive, just airstrikes on three locations: Metele, Dogon Chukwu, and Matari, in the Lake Chad region. At least 17 other militants were killed alongside him. The killing of Al-Minuki signifies a significant tactical and operational success in the counter-terrorism campaign against jihadist groups in Nigeria and the US.
However, there is the potential for ISWAP to retaliate with increased attacks on Nigerian military bases. The recent counter-terrorism strategy shift in the US towards partnerships with African countries rather than maintaining a large US military presence highlights the need for sustained intelligence-led precision attacks and efforts to curtail the groups' access to funds, weapons, and new membership
Islamic State Boko Haram Nigerian Military US Forces Precision Air-Land Operation Drone Instructors Lake Chad Region Ethnic And Religious Minority Communities Counter-Terrorism Campaign United States General's Michael Onoja Arisetv News Beat Security And Intelligence Counter-Terrorism Strategy Nigerian President Drone
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