Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), working in close coordination with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), have neutralised Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, described as the Islamic State’s second-in-command globally, during a precision air-land operation conducted in Metele, Borno State.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Saturday, 16 May 2026, following what he described as a prolonged joint intelligence and reconnaissance effort involving legal intercept operations and sustained surveillance.
Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was identified as a senior ISWAP commander overseeing terrorist activities across the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region. He had earlier been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the United States Department of State on 8 June 2023 under Executive Order 13224 for allegedly coordinating funding and operational support to ISIS-linked cells operating within the region.
The military disclosed that intelligence reports confirmed the presence of Al-Minuki and members of his international terrorist network inside a concealed and fortified enclave in Metele, located within Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI. This prompted coordinated precision strikes supported by ground forces deployed to secure the area, block escape routes and support extraction operations where necessary.
The operation reportedly commenced at about 12:01 a.m. and concluded around 4:00 a.m., involving multiple air platforms operating in a synchronised air-ground configuration. Military authorities said the mission was executed with no casualties or loss of equipment.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba stated that Al-Minuki was neutralised alongside several key lieutenants and multiple fighters during the operation, adding that Battle Damage Assessment and follow-on exploitation operations are ongoing to dismantle remaining splinter cells and prevent regrouping attempts.
He noted that the operation received authorisation from the Military High Command, reflecting what he described as high-level institutional coordination and strategic collaboration between Nigerian and US military forces in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
The statement further revealed that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, acknowledged the success of the mission and commended the partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Operation HADIN KAI described the development as one of the most significant counter-terrorism successes recorded in the North East theatre since the commencement of operations against insurgent groups in the region.
