{"id":2603450,"date":"2026-05-16T09:24:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T13:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-and-nigeria-kill-isis-leader-who-terrorized-christians-in-africa\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T09:24:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T13:24:52","slug":"us-and-nigeria-kill-isis-leader-who-terrorized-christians-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-and-nigeria-kill-isis-leader-who-terrorized-christians-in-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"US and Nigeria kill ISIS leader who terrorized Christians in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fus-and-nigeria-kill-isis-leader-who-terrorized-christians-in-africa%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2603450&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article reports that the U.S. military, in a joint mission with Nigeria, killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by President Donald Trump as the \u201cmost active\u201d ISIS commander and the group\u2019s second-in-command globally. Trump says the operation was carefully planned and complex,and that al-Minuki\u2019s death substantially reduces ISIS\u2019s ability to plan attacks against Americans and others.<\/p>\n<p>It adds that the U.S. and Nigeria had been targeting ISIS figures in connection with U.S.efforts to protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria, including an earlier order by Trump that contributed to a December airstrike against ISIS militants. U.S. officials say the operation was overseen by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), approved by Trump alongside Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and carried out without any U.S. service members being harmed.<\/p>\n<p>Officials also highlight the partnership\u2019s strategic value, with Tinubu publicly thanking Trump for his support and AFRICOM releasing aerial footage of the strike.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The U.S. military killed a top <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/isis\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"108\">ISIS<\/a> commander in a joint mission with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nigeria\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2834\">Nigeria<\/a>, President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> announced late Friday.<\/p>\n<p>He described the mission as \u201cmeticulously planned and very complex,\u201d resulting in the death of the \u201cmost active terrorist in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4571250\/lithuania-poland-military-aid-help-reopen-hormuz\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Lithuania and Poland forecast \u2018military aid\u2019 to help open Strait of Hormuz amid denials of US troop reductions in region<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4570739\/iraq-militia-leader-accused-18-attacks-europe-iran-war\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Iraqi militia leader accused of leading at least 18 attacks abroad against Iran war<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4570876\/israel-lebanon-ceasefire-extend-45-days-continue-talks\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by 45 days for continued talks<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cAbu-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,\u201d Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116582139808210458\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116582139808210458\">wrote on Truth Social<\/a>. \u201cHe will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans. With his removal, ISIS\u2019s global operation is greatly diminished.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The president then thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congressional-war-vets-warn-biden-against-shuttering-gitmo\/\" title=\"Congressional War Vets Warn Biden Against Shuttering Gitmo\">terrorist leader<\/a> was deemed a \u201cspecially designated global terrorist\u201d by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/state-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"107\">State Department<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>War Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1991\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> said the United States \u201chunted\u201d al-Minuki for months because he was killing Christians. In turn, Hegseth revealed, \u201cwe killed him \u2014 and his entire posse.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In November, Trump directed the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-defense\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"335\">Department of War<\/a> to help protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria. That order led to a December airstrike that targeted ISIS militants in the West African country.<\/p>\n<p>The latest operation marks Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/persecution-fears-rise-as-biden-backs-away-from-religious-freedom-abroad\/\" title=\"Persecution Fears Rise as Biden Backs Away From Religious Freedom Abroad\">continued commitment<\/a> to protecting Christians from Islamists.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAbu-Bilal al-Minuki was the senior ISIS General Directorate of Provinces Emir \u2014 the number two for ISIS globally \u2014 responsible for overseeing the planning of attacks, directing hostage-taking and managing financial operations,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PeteHegseth\/status\/2055597053598703994\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PeteHegseth\/status\/2055597053598703994\">posted on X<\/a> Saturday morning. \u201cThe removal of him and other ISIS personnel makes Americans safer by further degrading ISIS\u2019s ability to plan and carry out attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, American citizens, and innocent civilians.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Africa Command oversaw the \u201cprecise\u201d operation, Hegseth said, after it was approved by Trump in conjunction with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.<\/p>\n<p>AFRICOM posted a minute-long video of the aerial footage that captured the fatal strike.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Last night&#8217;s operation targeted a significant presence of ISIS fighters in Northeastern Nigeria eliminating multiple high value individuals including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lNj4AMSITH\">pic.twitter.com\/lNj4AMSITH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USAfricaCommand\/status\/2055614134851424487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The command center highlighted the \u201cexceptional value\u201d of the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMake no mistake, our two nations will relentlessly pursue and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >neutralize terrorist threats<\/a> and are committed to protecting our people and interests,\u201d U.S. Air Force Gen. and AFRICOM commander Dagvin Anderson <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africom.mil\/pressrelease\/36568\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.africom.mil\/pressrelease\/36568\">said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4534929\/trump-influence-africa-china-economy\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4534929\/trump-influence-africa-china-economy\/\">TRUMP\u2019S BID TO WIN INFLUENCE IN AFRICA HITS GREAT WALL OF ENTRENCHED CHINA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No U.S. service members were harmed in the operation, according to AFRICOM.<\/p>\n<p>Tinubu thanked Trump on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/officialABAT\/status\/2055542303721132368\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/officialABAT\/status\/2055542303721132368\">social media<\/a> for his \u201cleadership and unwavering support in this effort.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. killed top ISIS commander in complex joint raid with Nigeria, Trump says<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2603451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26135832954636.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7072,40796,3937,19990,16697],"class_list":["post-2603450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-christians","tag-counterterrorism","tag-isis","tag-nigeria","tag-somalia"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26135832954636.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2603450"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2603454,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603450\/revisions\/2603454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2603451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2603450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2603450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2603450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}