The Nigerian military has disclosed details of the joint operation with United States forces that led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, during a coordinated assault in Borno State.
Military authorities said the slain terror commander had established “a concealed and fortified enclave” in Metele, a known insurgent stronghold within the operational area of Operation HADIN KAI.
Earlier on Saturday, United States President Donald Trump announced that al-Minuki was killed in what he described as a “meticulously planned and very complex” mission carried out by Nigerian and American troops.
Trump described the slain ISIS commander as the “most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield”, adding that his death would significantly weaken the terrorist group globally.
The US president also praised the Nigerian government for its “partnership” in the operation.
Giving further details, Sani Uba, media information officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, said the operation began shortly after midnight on Saturday and lasted until about 4am.
According to the military, extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations helped security forces identify and confirm the location of al-Minuki and his fighters before launching the strike.
Uba said Nigerian and US troops carried out “precision air-ground operations on the confirmed location while special forces were deployed to provide security and deny escape routes”.
He added that the operation ended successfully without casualties or loss of military equipment.
“The operation, which commenced at approximately 0001 hours and concluded at about 0400 hours today, Saturday 16 May 2026, was the culmination of a protracted joint intelligence effort involving legal intercept operations and sustained reconnaissance that achieved full target development and fidelity,” the statement read.
“Following confirmed intelligence that Al-Minuki and his international terrorist cell had established a concealed and fortified enclave at Metele in Borno State within Sector 3 OPHK, the US partners in conjunction with OPHK conducted precision air-ground operations on the confirmed location while Special Forces were deployed to provide security and deny escape routes as well as to extract any of the teams or air platforms in distress.
“The operation involved several air platforms in a synchronised air-land configuration that left the terrorists with no avenue of escape.
“The operation was executed following authorisation from the Military High Command, underscoring the highest levels of institutional coordination and strategic decision-making that underpinned the success of this mission.
“The operation was executed with zero casualties or loss of assets, a testament to the exceptional planning, superior tactical execution and the deepening synergy between Nigerian and US military forces in the global fight against terrorism.”
