Trump Announces Killing of Top ISIS Commander Linked to Borno
United States President Donald Trump has announced the killing of Abubakar Mainok, also known as Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki, a senior Islamic State commander described as the terror group’s global second-in-command.
Trump described the operation as a “meticulously planned and very complex mission” carried out in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
According to documents from US terrorism watchlists, Mainok was designated a “global terrorist” in 2023. The records reportedly traced his origin to Mainok town in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a statement shared by the White House on X, Trump said the ISIS leader had been tracked through intelligence operations despite efforts to remain hidden in Africa.
He praised the partnership between the United States and Nigeria, saying the mission removed “the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield.”
If officially confirmed, the operation would represent a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.
The renewed security partnership reportedly led to the deployment of about 200 American troops to Nigeria following diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja over claims by Trump of “Christian genocide” in parts of the country.
Although the Nigerian government has yet to release an official statement on the operation, sources familiar with the development have confirmed the incident, according to a report by Premium Times.
A security source said Mainok was killed during an operation in Nigeria’s North-east region.
Security analysts have previously linked Mainok to Islamic State activities across West Africa and the Sahel. A 2023 report by the Jamestown Foundation identified him as a key figure coordinating operations between the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and IS-Sahel networks through the group’s al-Furqan office.
Meanwhile, panic swept through communities in Oyo State on Friday after armed terrorists launched coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, killing an assistant headmaster, abducting several pupils and teachers, and forcing residents to flee for safety.
The affected schools include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
Residents described the incident as one of the most brazen attacks on schools in the area in recent years, as the gunmen reportedly operated openly in broad daylight and moved between communities without resistance.
The attackers reportedly stormed the schools around 9am, shortly after pupils assembled for morning activities.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants arrived on motorcycles and immediately opened fire, causing chaos across the communities.
“They came in large numbers on motorcycles and started shooting immediately. Everybody ran. They moved from one school to another within minutes,” a resident said.
Assistant Headmaster, Motorcyclist Killed
The Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was shot dead during the attack while reportedly trying to escape through a window.
His death has thrown the local education community into mourning, with colleagues describing him as a committed and hardworking teacher.
An okada rider was also killed after he unknowingly rode into the scene during the attack and was caught in the crossfire.
Principal, Teachers And Pupils Abducted
The terrorists reportedly abducted the principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs Rachael Alamu, alongside five teachers and an unspecified number of pupils.
Residents said the attackers moved swiftly from classroom to classroom before forcing victims away.
“The assistant head teacher was trying to escape through the window, but he was shot dead. The principal and five teachers were kidnapped. They also took several pupils,” another resident said.
Authorities had yet to confirm the exact number of abducted pupils, though residents fear many students may still be missing.
Attackers Burn Principal’s Vehicle
Sources said the terrorists used the principal’s vehicle to transport some of the abducted victims out of the community.
However, the vehicle reportedly developed a fault while the attackers attempted to escape through rough terrain.
“They used the principal’s car to move some of the abducted victims, but when the vehicle could not continue, they abandoned it and set it ablaze,” a resident disclosed.
The burning vehicle intensified fear across the area, prompting many residents to abandon their homes over fears of another attack.
Monarch Recounts Chaos
The traditional ruler of the community, the Eleshi Ele of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, confirmed that the attackers arrived on eight motorcycles carrying two armed men each.
According to the monarch, the attack began while a town hall meeting was taking place.
“We were having a town hall meeting when we suddenly heard gunshots. People started running in all directions.
Later, we discovered they had attacked the schools, killed a teacher and abducted pupils and the principal,” he said.
Oba Abioye said even very young children were affected during the attack.
“They did not spare anyone. They abducted pupils from both primary and secondary schools, including very small children. We cannot even confirm the number yet,” he added.
The monarch also blamed the scale of the attack on the absence of a nearby police station, saying security operatives arrived almost two hours after the incident.
“The police station is far from our community. It took them about two hours before they arrived,” he lamented.
Security Forces Launch Rescue Operation
Following the attack, the gunmen reportedly escaped into nearby forests linking Oriire communities and the Old Oyo National Park axis.
Security agencies, including the police and military, have since launched a search-and-rescue operation.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Abimbola, was said to have led tactical teams to the affected communities, while soldiers were deployed to comb surrounding forests for the abductors.
As of Friday night, security operatives were still searching the area.
Families In Distress
Residents said many families fled the communities after the attack, while parents remain uncertain about the whereabouts of their children.
One relative of a missing student said his 16-year-old niece, a JSS2 student, had not been seen since she left for school on Friday morning.
“She left home for school around 7am, and we have not seen her since then. We have searched everywhere, but we are not sure if she is among the kidnapped victims,” he said.
Government Orders School Closure
Reacting to the incident, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board described the attack as “a dark and painful moment” for the state’s education sector.
Authorities ordered the temporary closure of schools in Oriire and neighbouring local government areas, including Surulere, Oyo East and Olorunsogo, as security agencies work to stabilise the region.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the killing of the assistant headmaster and the motorcyclist, adding that abducted victims included both pupils and school staff.
Similar Attack Reported In Borno
The development came as gunmen also reportedly attacked a school in Mussa community near the Sambisa Forest in Borno State on Friday morning.
The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the incident, though details remained sketchy.
“Many of the students fled into the bush. However, I do not have details of those abducted,” he said.
The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, also confirmed that gunmen stormed the school and took away an unspecified number of pupils.
The latest attacks have again raised concerns over the safety of schools in vulnerable communities across Nigeria, especially in rural areas with limited security presence.
