On Friday evening, President Trump revealed that a joint operation between U.S. and Nigerian forces successfully targeted and killed the deputy leader of ISIS in a “highly intricate mission.”
“Under my directive, courageous American troops, alongside Nigeria’s Armed Forces, executed a precisely coordinated and complex operation to remove the world’s most active terrorist from the battlefield,” Trump announced on Truth Social.
He elaborated on the mission’s target, stating, “Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second in command of ISIS worldwide, believed he could evade capture by hiding in Africa. However, he was unaware that we had sources keeping us informed of his actions. His ability to terrorize the African population and plan attacks against Americans has been permanently halted.”
President Trump emphasized the significance of this operation, noting, “With his elimination, ISIS’s global capabilities are substantially weakened.”
In addition, Trump extended his gratitude to the Nigerian government for their collaboration in this crucial mission.
He concluded his message with a patriotic note, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Trump announced the operation just hours after returning to the White House following a three-day trip to Beijing.
Nigeria has been plagued by violence carried out by multiple armed militant groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province.
Last November, Trump warned that he would cut off US aid to Nigeria and go into the country âguns-a-blazingâ if the government didnât do more to stop Islamic extremists from killing Christians.
The president followed up with a series of airstrikes carried out by US forces on Christmas Day that killed âmultiple ISIS terrorists,â according to US Africa Command.
In February, the Nigerian government said it invited a âcontingent of United States technical and training personnelâ to the African nation who wouldnât engage in combat or have a direct operational role.
Around 200 US troops were deployed to Nigeria, a US official said at the time.
The Pentagon and US Africa Command did not immediately respond to The Postâs requests for comment.
