THE Defence Headquarters on Saturday confirmed the killing of top ISIS leader Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, describing him as a “global terrorist” and a major operational figure within the Islamic State network.
The confirmation was contained in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, following an earlier announcement by Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform that the terrorist commander had been eliminated in a joint operation carried out by United States and Nigerian forces.
According to Trump, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the Islamic State group’s second-in-command globally, was killed during what he called a meticulously planned military operation.
“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote.
The US president said the ISIS leader had been hiding in Africa while coordinating terrorist activities linked to the extremist organisation.
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” Trump added.
He further stated that the elimination of the terrorist leader would significantly weaken the global operations of ISIS.
“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump said, adding that “with his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”
Trump also thanked the Nigerian government for its support and cooperation during the mission.
“Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he stated.
Reacting to the development, Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the operation as a major example of effective international collaboration against terrorism.
Speaking during a meeting with the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja, Tinubu praised the Nigerian Armed Forces and their US counterparts for the successful operation.
“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” Tinubu said.
“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin,” the president added.
Tinubu also appreciated the partnership between Nigeria and the United States in pursuing shared security objectives.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.
“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation,” Tinubu said.
Providing further details about the slain ISIS commander, the Defence Headquarters described Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki as a critical operational and strategic figure within ISIS.
According to the DHQ, he coordinated ISIS activities outside Nigeria in areas including media operations, economic warfare, and the production of weapons, explosives, and drones.
“His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world,” the statement said.
The DHQ added that intelligence reports indicated that Minuki may have recently risen to become Head of the General Directorate of States, effectively making him the second most senior figure in the ISIS global hierarchy.
“Intelligence further indicates that, as recently as February 2026, Minuki may have been elevated to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, placing him the second most senior leader within the ISIS global hierarchy,” the statement added.
Before that appointment, the military said Minuki served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, where he supervised ISIS-linked activities across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks targeting civilians and minority ethnic and religious communities.
The DHQ also linked him to the 2018 Dapchi abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls and disclosed that he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya between 2015 and 2016 to support ISIS operations in North Africa.
“Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, Minuki was also recognized as a prominent leader within Boko Haram,” the statement noted.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed that the operation was executed in partnership with United States forces through intelligence sharing and coordinated military action.
“The precision operation was the result of our recently formed U.S.-Nigeria partnership and intelligence sharing efforts,” the statement said.
“Together, we have disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region. Our efforts represent a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and globally.”
The Armed Forces further stated that the successful operation demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to confronting terrorism and preventing extremist groups from threatening national, regional and global security.
“The operation equally underscores the importance of our Nigeria-United States collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated military action in defeating transnational terrorist networks,” the DHQ added.
The military authorities also commended the professionalism, courage and dedication of all personnel involved in the operation while appreciating the continued support of United States forces in the collective fight against terrorism.
According to the DHQ, the Armed Forces remain committed to ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, protecting civilians and ensuring lasting peace and stability across Nigeria and the wider region.
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El-Rufai’s Son Accuses ICPC Of Denying Ex-Governor Medical, Food, Family Access In Detention
MOHAMMED Bello, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has accused operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying his father access to medical care and family support while in detention.
The allegation was contained in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by Mohammed Bello on Saturday, where he described the actions of the anti-graft agency as a “serious attack” on his father’s fundamental rights.
El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 19 over allegations of financial impropriety linked to his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
The former governor had earlier been granted temporary leave from custody to attend his mother’s funeral.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted el-Rufai over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering, while also calling on anti-corruption agencies to investigate him.
Subsequently, on April 13, 2026, the ICPC arraigned the former governor before a Kaduna High Court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.
Reacting to recent developments at the detention facility, Mohammed Bello alleged that the ICPC violated a court order by preventing his father’s personal doctor from seeing him.
“Our father, Mallam Nasir @elrufai, is still being held by the ICPC. Today, 15 May 2026, we witnessed two distinct yet equally serious attacks on his basic rights,” the statement read.
“First, his personal doctor visited the ICPC at about 3pm to discuss the results of medical tests recently conducted on our father.
“Officials at the agency blocked the doctor from seeing him, claiming that written permission from the ICPC chairman was required.”
According to Mohammed Bello, the action directly contradicted an existing court order that granted el-Rufai unrestricted access to his medical team.
He further alleged that the former governor’s second wife, Aichatou, was also prevented from seeing him after arriving at the facility with his evening meal.
“ICPC personnel turned her away, saying they had orders not to permit food deliveries after 6:30pm,” he said.
“This arbitrary rule is no less offensive than blocking his right to medical care.”
The former governor’s son described the alleged actions of the commission as an assault on the rule of law and a violation of his father’s constitutional and human rights.
“No lawful detention justifies denying medical access or refusing basic family care based on an arbitrary curfew fixed by the ICPC. Shame on them as an institution,” he stated.
Mohammed Bello added that the family would no longer tolerate what he described as intimidation disguised as official procedure.
He said the family was demanding full respect for all constitutional rights guaranteed to the former governor while in detention.
“We will no longer accept this pattern of intimidation dressed up as protocol,” he added.