A US-Nigerian military operation eliminates the second-in-command of ISIS

ARK News.. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the killing of “Abu Bilal al-Minooka,” described as the second-highest-ranking figure in the Islamic State worldwide.

In a post published Saturday, May 16, 2026, on his platform Truth Social, Trump stated: “Tonight, under my direction, brave American forces and the Nigerian Armed Forces successfully carried out a highly complex and meticulously planned mission to eliminate the world’s most dangerous terrorist.”

He added that “Abu Bilal al-Minooka,” identified as the global second-in-command of ISIS, believed he could hide in Africa, “but he did not know that we had sources tracking his movements.”

Trump further stated that al-Minooka “will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or assist in planning attacks targeting Americans.”

The U.S. president also claimed that the militant group’s operations had significantly declined following the operation, saying, "With his removal, ISIS global operations have been greatly reduced. Thanks to the government of Nigeria for its partnership in this operation.”

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