President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday hailed the collaboration between between United States (U.S.) and Nigeria that culminated in the elimination of the wanted Islamic State (IS) senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, alongside several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.

In a statement he personally signed, President Tinubu said the “effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism” that pulled off the airstrikes and killing of the IS/ISWAP commander sums up the “partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives.”

The full statement reads: “Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.

“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.

“Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.

“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.

“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”