ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has praised the joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigerian and American forces that led to the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, a senior leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), in the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement issued from the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu described the operation as a major example of security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism.
Okay News reports that the operation, conducted overnight by the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the United States, also led to the elimination of several of Al-Manuki’s lieutenants.
“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 said.
Tinubu said the operation dealt a significant blow to the extremist group and commended security personnel from both countries for their professionalism during the mission.
“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,” he said.
The President also expressed appreciation to United States President Donald Trump for supporting counterterrorism cooperation between both countries.
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” Tinubu said.
He added that the government remains committed to sustaining military operations against extremist groups operating across the country.
“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,” the President added.
The operation comes amid intensified military offensives in the Lake Chad Basin, where armed groups linked to ISIS and other extremist organisations continue to operate across parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
