U.S. and Nigerian forces have killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of the Islamic State group worldwide, according to an announcement Friday by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the operation was carried out in Nigeria in coordination with Nigerian forces, though he did not provide additional details about the raid, its location or how al-Minuki was killed.
In recent days, Faytuks Network analysts had noted a marked increase in U.S. military flights into Nigeria, including the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft and more specialized airframes.
Few details about the operation were immediately available. However, analysts said the death of a senior Islamic State figure could have major implications for the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, one of the deadliest extremist groups operating in the region.
Further information from U.S. and Nigerian officials was expected in the coming days.
