President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the growing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States following a successful joint counterterrorism operation that reportedly led to the killing of senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, popularly known as Abu-Mainok, in the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement released on Saturday, Tinubu described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism across Nigeria and the West African region. He said the coordinated strike demonstrated the effectiveness of international collaboration in confronting terrorist threats that continue to endanger national and regional security.
According to the President, preliminary assessments confirmed that Abu-Mainok and several of his top lieutenants were eliminated during a strike carried out on their hideout in the Lake Chad Basin. Tinubu commended the professionalism and bravery of Nigerian security forces and their American counterparts who participated in the mission. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Tinubu also extended appreciation to United States President Donald Trump for supporting the operation and strengthening security cooperation between both countries. He noted that the success of the mission reflects the importance of intelligence sharing, military coordination and strategic partnerships in combating insurgency and terrorism.
The operation gained international attention after Trump announced that US and Nigerian forces had successfully neutralised one of ISIS’s most dangerous global commanders in what he described as a highly complex and carefully planned mission. Reports indicated that Abu-Mainok had been a key figure within the Islamic State network, overseeing operations, logistics and extremist activities across parts of Africa.
Security experts have described the killing of the ISIS commander as a major setback for extremist groups operating within the Lake Chad region, particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province, which has remained active in parts of northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Abu-Mainok was reportedly on international watchlists and had been linked to several deadly terrorist activities in the region.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining aggressive military operations against terrorist groups and dismantling insurgent enclaves across the country. He stressed that Nigeria would continue strengthening partnerships with allies while improving the capabilities of local security agencies to ensure lasting peace and stability.
The latest operation further highlights the expanding military and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, especially following recent agreements on counterterrorism support, intelligence sharing and military training. Analysts believe the collaboration could significantly weaken terrorist networks operating across West Africa if sustained effectively.
