AFRICOM releases footage of Nigeria-US attack that killed ISIS leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki

US Africa Command has released footage of a joint Nigeria-US operation in northeast Nigeria that it said killed senior ISIS leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and other senior figures on May 16, 2026.

AFRICOM said the attack was carried out under U.S. presidential direction and in coordination with the Nigerian government. The command’s initial assessment is that “several terrorists, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the director of ISIS global operations, as well as other senior ISIS leaders, have been killed.” No American personnel were injured.

AFRICOM commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson said the mission reflected close cooperation between the two militaries and followed months of joint planning.

According to AFRICOM, al-Minuki managed ISIS’s global operations, media, funding, weapons, explosives and drone production, and played a central role in planning attacks and taking hostages.

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President Bola Tinubu previously called it a “bold joint operation” that caused significant losses to ISIS networks in the region.

The footage was released as both countries continue counter-terrorism operations in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.

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