President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian and United States forces to intensify coordinated military operations following the reported killing of a senior Islamic State commander in the Lake Chad Basin.
The President made the call after a joint operation by Nigerian troops and US forces eliminated Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, described as a high-ranking ISIS figure operating within the region.
Tinubu commended the military personnel involved, praising their professionalism and the success of the mission, which he said demonstrates the strength of international security cooperation in combating terrorism.
He also expressed appreciation to U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as strong support and leadership in facilitating counterterrorism collaboration between both countries.
According to him, the operation inflicted a significant blow on ISIS networks in West Africa, with early assessments indicating that Al-Manuki and several of his associates were neutralised in an airstrike.
The Defence Headquarters separately confirmed the operation, describing the slain commander as a major figure in the group’s global structure.
Tinubu stressed that Nigeria remains committed to dismantling terrorist enclaves across the country and the wider Lake Chad region, urging security forces to sustain pressure on remaining insurgent elements.
U.S. President Donald Trump also confirmed the development via his social media platform, stating that the operation was jointly executed and significantly weakened ISIS operations in Africa.