Military Confirms Death of ISIS Leader Tied to Dapchi Schoolgirls Abduction
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the killing of a senior ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, during a joint operation conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and United States forces.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the operation was made possible through enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated action under the growing Nigeria–U.S. security partnership.
According to Uba, the mission was carefully planned and successfully executed, leading to the elimination of what he described as a “high-value target” and one of the most influential figures within the global ISIS structure.
He disclosed that al-Minuki played a major strategic role in the terrorist organisation, overseeing media propaganda, financial operations, and the development of weapons systems, including explosives and drone technologies.
“His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world,” Uba stated.
The Defence Headquarters further revealed that intelligence reports suggested al-Minuki may have been elevated in February 2026 to Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second most senior leader within ISIS globally.
Before then, he reportedly served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, where he supervised ISIS-linked activities across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks targeting civilians and ethnic and religious minority communities.
Uba also linked the slain commander to several major terrorist incidents, including the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction, as well as the movement of fighters across borders in support of extremist operations in North Africa.
The military described the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism efforts across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.
According to the statement, the success of the mission highlights Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and sustaining pressure on terrorist networks threatening regional and global security.
