Senior IS leader killed in joint operation, US and Nigeria say

President Donald Trump said the operation eliminated "the most active terrorist in the world", Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

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Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was described by US President Donald Trump as the "second in command of ISIS globally" and "the most active terrorist in the world".

IS has radically shifted in recent years, with around 90% of its attacks now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa. Its Nigeria-based branch is by far the most active.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the two countries had carried out a "daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow" to IS.

Al‑Minuki was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023.