On Saturday, Defence Headquarters confirmed the death of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, a senior IS leader, in a coordinated counterterrorism action by Nigerian troops and the United States military.
The military called the operation a massive success in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, and the Sahel region in general.
According to the statement released by the Defence Headquarters, the successful operation was facilitated by improved intelligence sharing and increased cooperation in security between Nigeria and the United States within an enhanced counterterrorism partnership with the United States.
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki’s role was a strategically important position within ISIS, and he was allegedly responsible for coordinating several high-level activities conducted by the terrorist organisation, such as media propaganda, economic warfare, weapons manufacturing, explosives development and drone operations.
Security intelligence also revealed that the slain commander had recently been elevated in the global ISIS hierarchy, placing him among the terror group’s most influential ones operating in networks in Africa.
Al-Minuki was reportedly linked to Boko Haram before taking up leadership posts in ISIS-inspired groups throughout West Africa and the Sahel.
Military officials connected him to several attacks, targeting civilian communities and vulnerable groups in the conflict-stricken areas in the region.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the operation is in fulfilment of Nigeria’s resolve to destroy the infrastructure of the terrorists, to cut off areas where they operate and to increase the pressure on the terrorists who are threatening the peace and stability of the region.
It also highlighted the importance of international partnership in dealing with the growing sophisticated terrorist networks that are active in the Sahel corridor with its porous borders.
The Nigerian military, along with its U.S. allies, will maintain its current efforts to weaken the groups and restore peace and security in respective areas, it said.
The Armed Forces also praised the professionalism, bravery and coordination shown by forces involved in the operation, and reiterated their commitment to continue military operations against the armed insurgents.
The development has the potential to seriously undermine operational networks of ISIS in West Africa, especially as governments around the region are stepping up their fight against insurgency, cross-border terrorism and organised extremist violence, security analysts said.
