The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the senior Islamic State leader killed in a joint counterterrorism operation by Nigerian and United States forces, was responsible for overseeing the group’s weapons production, drone development, and global media activities.
US President Donald Trump had earlier confirmed the operation, describing al-Minuki as “the most active terrorist in the world.”
Trump also claimed the slain militant, whom he described as the “second in command of ISIS globally,” believed he could evade capture in Africa.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, director of defence information, the DHQ described al-Minuki as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, saying he was eliminated during a “meticulously planned and highly coordinated” precision mission.
According to the DHQ, al-Minuki played a major strategic role within the ISIS global network, advising affiliated groups outside Nigeria on economic warfare and media operations.
Uba said intelligence reports suggested that by February 2026, al-Minuki may have been promoted to Head of the ISIS General Directorate of States, making him the second-highest-ranking figure in the organisation globally.
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was a key ISIS operational and strategic figure who provided guidance to ISIS entities outside Nigeria on matters relating to media operations, economic warfare and the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives and drones. His death removes a critical node through which ISIS coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world,” Uba said.
“Intelligence further indicates that, as recently as February 2026, Minuki may have been elevated to the position of Head of the General Directorate of States, placing him as the second most senior leader within the ISIS global hierarchy.”
The DHQ said al-Minuki’s involvement in extremist operations stretched back more than a decade.
Before aligning with ISIS in 2015, he was said to have been a prominent commander within Boko Haram.
The military also linked him to the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls abduction, where more than 100 students were kidnapped in an attack that sparked global outrage.
“Prior to this, Minuki served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, overseeing ISIS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa, including attacks against civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minority communities,” Uba added.
“The terrorist leader also maintained longstanding operational ties with ISIS-West Africa and was linked to the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping of over 100 schoolgirls.”
The DHQ described the operation as a major success in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.