President Donald Trump announced late Friday that US and Nigerian strikes allegedly killed the second-highest leader of ISIS globally, in a joint military operation.

Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who also operated under the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), was a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Trump said Abu-Bilal al-Minuki “thought he could hide in Africa,” but claimed that American intelligence sources had tracked his movements

Al-Minuki had been on the radar of international intelligence for years, having been officially sanctioned by the US State Department in 2023 for his pivotal role in directing ISWAP divisions and facilitating international terrorist networks in the region.

“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump said. “With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”

He also thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership in the operation.

Nigeria has long struggled with attacks by armed groups, including the Boko Haram extremist group, and the ISIS (Daesh) affiliated ISWAP, in various parts of the country.

The government has taken steps to address the threat, including deploying troops and working with international partners.

In February, the US deployed about 100 military personnel to northern Nigeria to provide training, intelligence sharing and technical support to local forces as attacks by armed groups surged.