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ISIS Commander Killed to Protect Nigerian Christians, Says US Defence Secretary

Published

3 months ago

May 28, 2026

United States Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth

ISIS Commander Killed to Protect Nigerian Christians, Says US Defence Secretary

The United States Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, has said Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS, was largely responsible for attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria.

Al-Minuki was reportedly killed on May 15 during a joint military operation carried out by US and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Hegseth said the operation formed part of ongoing US efforts to combat ISIS activities in Nigeria and protect persecuted Christians.

According to him, President Donald Trump had directed the US military to prioritise the protection of Christians facing violent attacks in Nigeria.

“Maybe a year ago, the President heard the concerns of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS,” Hegseth said, according to a Pentagon report.

“And he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians.'”

Hegseth explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets to the region.

“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.

The senior ISIS commander was killed on May 15, 2026, during a joint military operation carried out by US and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

President Bola Tinubu earlier confirmed the death of Al-Minuki, disclosing that “several of his lieutenants” were also eliminated during the operation.

According to Nigerian military officials, the “highly complex precision air-land operation” was carried out during hours of darkness, with no US service members harmed.

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The operation targeted Al-Minuki’s compound in Metele, Borno state, where intelligence had established that he had a fortified base.

He was actively plotting threats against Nigerian civilians and Western interests.

Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, Al-Minuki was a prominent Boko Haram leader, according to the Nigerian army.

The army said Al-Minuki oversaw key ISIS operations in the Sahel and West African regions for the ISIS affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

In 2023, the US State Department had designated Al-Minuki as a “specially designated global terrorist.”

The designation imposes sanctions on any property he held in the US and restricts transactions.

Hegseth further stated that intelligence gathered since the commencement of US operations against ISIS elements in Nigeria had resulted in the elimination of “hundreds” of ISIS members.

These members were allegedly involved in the killing of Christians in the country.

“And have since, because of the intel we gathered, killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria,” he added.

The US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) has carried out additional air strikes against ISIS fighters in northeastern Nigeria in coordination with the Nigerian government.

“The removal of these terrorists diminishes the group’s capacity to plan attacks that threaten the safety and security of the US and our partners,” AFRICOM said in a statement.

In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that coordinated air and ground offensives in the North-East led to the elimination of 175 ISIS fighters.

The operations also destroyed key terrorist infrastructure across the region.

The operations targeted ISIS enclaves, logistics routes, checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs and financial support structures.

These structures were linked to insurgent activities in the Lake Chad region.

The DHQ also confirmed the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.

They described him as one of ISIS’s most influential global operatives.

He was responsible for terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics coordination and the planning of attacks against civilians.

Other senior terrorist figures reportedly neutralised during the operation included Abd-al Wahhab, identified as an ISWAP commander coordinating attacks and propaganda operations.

Others were Abu Musa al-Mangawi and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir.

Al-Muhajir was described as a senior media production operative for the terror group.

The Defence Headquarters earlier clarified that Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki was killed during the 2026 joint Nigerian-American military operation.

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He was not killed in an earlier operation in 2024 as widely claimed online.

After the announcements by President Trump and President Tinubu, social media users circulated claims suggesting that Al-Minuki had already been declared dead by the Nigerian military in 2024.

This created confusion over the true identity of the slain insurgent.

Reacting to the reports, DHQ’s Director of Information, Samaila Uba, explained that the confusion was caused by the frequent use of identical names, aliases and nom de guerre among terrorists.

These naming patterns are common among both Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram.

They are part of their indoctrination system aimed at hiding identities and confusing intelligence tracking.

“It is important to state that within the North East region and across the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is common among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists,” he said.

Uba stressed that the Al-Minuki killed on May 16, 2026, had been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance.

He was confirmed as a senior global operative with direct links to international terrorist coordination.

He also had links to funding and operations across the Sahel.

President Trump confirmed the operation on his Truth Social platform shortly after its success.

“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission,” Trump said.

He also thanked the government of Nigeria for their effective cooperation in the mission.

“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” Trump said.

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“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans,” he added.

Pentagon officials told the BBC that intelligence had established that al-Minuki had established a fortified base in Metele, Borno state.

He was actively plotting threats against Nigerian civilians and Western interests more broadly.

Several mid-level commanders died alongside al-Minuki.

This further weakened the group’s remaining structure in West Africa.

This latest wave of US-Nigeria coordinated attacks comes as dozens of US soldiers have been deployed to Nigeria.

They are helping to fight against armed groups, engage in intelligence sharing and provide technical support.

Last Christmas, US forces launched air strikes on ISIS-affiliated fighters in northwestern Nigeria.

Speaking about whether this incident was part of a broader military campaign, Trump told The New York Times: “I’d love to make it a one-time strike.”

“But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” he added.

The Nigerian government has, however, previously rejected Trump’s framing of mass killings of Christians in the West African country.

Analysts have noted that people across all faiths, not just Christians, are victims of armed groups in Nigeria’s protracted conflict zones.

Although Hegseth specifically framed the operation as part of efforts to defend Nigerian Christians targeted by extremist violence, Nigerian authorities have historically maintained a different position.

They maintain that insurgency in the country involves a broader mix of terrorism, criminality, territorial control and regional instability.

This goes beyond purely religious motivations.

The latest disclosure is expected to draw renewed attention to the extent of US military and intelligence involvement in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations.

There is growing international concern over persistent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

President Tinubu, in his confirmation statement, expressed appreciation to the United States for its support in advancing shared security objectives.

He specifically thanked President Trump for his leadership and cooperation.

“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives,” Tinubu said.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” he added.

He also commended military personnel from both countries for their professionalism and courage during the operation.

He expressed optimism that more decisive actions would be carried out against terrorist enclaves across the nation.

Dennis Amachree, former director of the US Department of State Services in Nigeria, told Al Jazeera that the killing of al-Minuki “is going to create a huge vacuum in the leadership and financing of ISWAP.”

He added that “many top officers were decimated with him.”

According to intelligence officials, al-Minuki oversaw key parts of ISIS operations worldwide.

These included attack planning, hostage situations, and moving money across ISIS networks.

Hegseth noted that many of the operations received little public attention despite their significance.

“There are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the president empowers the department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” he said.

He added that President Trump remains committed to efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable Christian communities in Nigeria.

The Pentagon plans to keep pressure on remaining ISIS networks in the region.

More operations are expected based on fresh intelligence.

Security analysts continue to monitor the situation in Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad region.

Extremist groups have sustained deadly attacks on communities, security personnel and civilian targets in these areas.

ISIS Commander Killed to Protect Nigerian Christians, Says US Defence Secretary

Related Topics:ISIS Commander Nigerian Christians

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Renewed Hope Mass Transit: FG Launches 100 Electric Buses for Federal Workers

Published

9 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Renewed Hope Mass Transit: FG Launches 100 Electric Buses for Federal Workers

Head of Service describes initiative as ‘parting gift’ as first batch of 37 buses commissioned in Abuja.

The Federal Government has inaugurated 100 Renewed Hope Mass Transit electric buses to provide safer, more affordable, and reliable transportation for federal civil servants nationwide. The initiative, approved by the Federal Executive Council, aims to ease the financial burden of daily commuting and improve worker productivity. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this at the commissioning of the first batch of 37 buses at Eagle Square, Abuja, on Wednesday. Walson-Jack, whose tenure ends on Thursday, described the inauguration as a “dream come true” and her “parting gift” to the federal civil service.

The buses were acquired through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund and are part of the administration’s efforts to translate its policies into practical interventions that directly impact the lives of Nigerians. The Head of Service said she could not have asked for a more fitting way to end her tenure than to hand over an initiative that would continue benefiting civil servants long after her departure. She stated that the commissioning was providentially her parting gift to her dearly beloved federal civil servants, as in a little under 24 hours, her time as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation comes to an end. She added that she could not have asked for a more fitting note on which to close this chapter of service than receiving and handing over the keys to something that will keep moving, keep working, long after she has gone home. The remaining 63 buses are expected to be delivered by December 2026. Each bus can accommodate up to 200 passengers and travel at least 200 kilometres on a full charge.

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Walson-Jack emphasised that transportation goes beyond moving people from one location to another, noting that the daily commute directly affects workers’ finances, safety, punctuality, and productivity. She described the intervention as both a welfare measure and an investment in a more productive civil service. She explained that for many civil servants, the daily commute shapes their finances, their safety, their punctuality and ultimately their productivity. She noted that an intervention that makes transportation safer, more reliable and more affordable is therefore not a peripheral welfare gesture; it is an investment in a more productive civil service. According to her, the buses would ease the financial burden on workers and reduce the risks associated with daily commuting. The initiative demonstrates that the Renewed Hope Agenda is being translated into practical interventions that workers can directly experience. Walson-Jack linked the mass transit programme to other Federal Government interventions, including the upward review of the national minimum wage, wage awards following the removal of fuel subsidy, digitalisation of government services, improved pension administration, promotions, employee compensation, and health insurance.

The HCSF disclosed that operations would commence with a pilot phase on selected routes before the full rollout of the Federal Civil Service Renewed Hope Mass Transit programme. She added that the buses would also be deployed, where appropriate, to federal secretariats across the states. A special purpose vehicle has been established to manage the operations, maintenance, and long-term sustainability of the buses, ensuring transparent and sustainable operational frameworks with clearly defined routes, schedules, regular maintenance, qualified drivers, passenger safety, cleanliness, and effective monitoring.

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Walson-Jack urged civil servants to protect the buses as public assets, describing them as valuable assets provided for their benefit. She told the civil servants that they are theirs to use, but also theirs to protect, urging beneficiaries to reciprocate the government’s investment through improved punctuality and commitment to duty. She advised them to treat these buses as their own personal assets.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, described the commissioning as a significant milestone in the federal government’s efforts to improve civil servants’ welfare. He noted that the deployment of the electric buses would help ease transportation challenges while supporting the government’s broader sustainability and development objectives. Enoh also described the initiative as an opportunity to promote local content, develop Nigerian talent, and encourage the production of goods and services capable of competing with the best globally. The buses were assembled locally, aligning with the government’s “Nigeria First” industrial policy and its ambition to build domestic manufacturing capacity. The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin, and his team were commended for their collaboration in ensuring that the buses were developed in line with the objectives of the national automotive policy. The HCSF also endorsed a proposal that the Federal Civil Service anthem should be played on the buses, saying it would reinforce the identity and pride of civil servants and help them connect with the Service during their daily journeys.

Renewed Hope Mass Transit: FG Launches 100 Electric Buses for Federal Workers

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Ikeja Electric announces maintenance, warns of power interruptions in Lagos

Published

9 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Ikeja Electric announces maintenance, warns of power interruptions in Lagos

Ikeja Electric Plc has announced a maintenance exercise at its Oworonshoki Injection Substation in Lagos, warning residents and businesses in affected communities to expect temporary power interruptions during the work.

The electricity distribution company said the maintenance involves the replacement of panels at its 3 x 15 MVA Oworonshoki Injection Substation and is scheduled to run from August 24 to September 3, 2026.

According to Ikeja Electric, the exercise is necessary to strengthen its distribution infrastructure and improve the stability and reliability of electricity supply to customers connected to the network.

The company said several 11kV feeders linked to the Oworonshoki substation would be affected during the maintenance period, potentially resulting in interruptions for customers supplied through the affected lines.

The feeders listed by the electricity distribution company are 11-OworonJNJ-T1-Bariga, 11-OworonJNJ-T1-Hospital, 11-OworonJNJ-T1-Ifako, 11-OworonJNJ-T2-Ladilac, 11-OworonJNJ-T2-Oworo, 11-OworonJNJ-T2-Pedro, 11-OworonJNJ-T3-Anthony, 11-OworonJNJ-T3-Gbagada and 11-OworonJNJ-T3-GTB.

Customers and businesses connected to these feeders may experience electricity supply disruptions at different times while the maintenance work is being carried out.

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Ikeja Electric apologised for the inconvenience the exercise may cause and appealed to affected customers to be patient and understanding throughout the maintenance period.

The company said the intervention forms part of its broader efforts to upgrade electricity distribution infrastructure, improve network performance and provide a more dependable power supply to customers across its coverage area.

The maintenance is expected to be completed on September 3, after which electricity supply to the affected areas is expected to return to normal, subject to the operational condition of the network.

Ikeja Electric also urged residents and other stakeholders to help protect electricity infrastructure by remaining vigilant and reporting activities that could expose distribution facilities to vandalism or damage.

The company thanked its customers for their cooperation and continued support as it carries out the infrastructure work.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to plan accordingly during the maintenance period, particularly households and businesses that depend heavily on electricity for daily activities.

Ikeja Electric announces maintenance, warns of power interruptions in Lagos

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BREAKING: Tinubu Orders Immediate Rescue of Niger Mosque Abduction Victims

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

BREAKING: Tinubu Orders Immediate Rescue of Niger Mosque Abduction Victims

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and all relevant security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to immediately rescue victims of the Niger mosque abduction. The directive was disclosed in a State House statement on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu expressed outrage over the abduction and killing of innocent citizens by criminal elements in the state.

Tinubu described those responsible for the attack as “enemies of peace and enemies of humanity” and vowed that they would not go unpunished. “Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free,” the President said. The President extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the assault. “I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed in this barbaric assault and pray that Almighty God grant them eternal rest, and grant their loved ones the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” he said. He assured the affected communities of the nation’s support: “You are not alone. The entire nation shares your anguish. We will not rest until your sons, daughters, mothers and fathers are brought back safely to you.”

The President has directed the Service Chiefs to provide him with regular briefings on the progress of the rescue operation until all those abducted are accounted for. “Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities, and uphold the sanctity of human life,” Tinubu affirmed. The Federal Government has pledged to support the Niger State Government with all necessary resources for recovery, relief, and security reinforcement.

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The attack occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, when suspected terrorists invaded a mosque in Gidan-Zana, Kpenya village, Dekara District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The gunmen reportedly stormed the mosque at about 2 p.m. during Juma’at prayers and immediately began taking worshippers away. Children, women, and elderly residents were among those reportedly taken, while some villagers fled into a nearby forest to escape the attackers. Among those reportedly taken were the village head of Ka’ada, who had recently regained freedom from captivity, and the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekara. An armed group posted a video on Facebook and WhatsApp showing what residents said were hundreds of women, children, and older people abducted during the attack. The footage shows children crying while an armed man speaking Hausa addresses the families of those being held and asks them to identify their relatives. If confirmed, it would rank among Nigeria’s largest mass kidnappings in recent years.

The Niger State Government has acknowledged that the number of persons abducted is still being verified. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana, the government urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified reports or casualty figures that could heighten anxiety or compromise ongoing security efforts. The Chairman of Borgu LGA, Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, confirmed that about 30 of those abducted had been killed by their captors, adding that “from the records I have, those kidnapped were a little above 60.” Residents, however, have given higher estimates, with some estimating between 60 and 80 people were kidnapped, while others suggested as many as 600 may have been taken.

Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to act urgently to secure the victims’ release and address the growing wave of abductions targeting rural communities across northern Nigeria. The organisation described the incident as particularly concerning because the victims were abducted while observing Friday prayers. Amnesty said at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026, while noting that available figures vary and may significantly underestimate the actual scale of the problem. The organisation warned that victims of previous mass abductions had reported severe abuses, including torture, starvation, sexual violence and amputation.

Niger State has experienced repeated violent attacks in recent years, including banditry and kidnapping, as Nigeria continues to battle terrorism, abduction, and other security challenges across its northern and central regions. The Borgu-Kainji corridor has become a hotspot for armed groups operating around Kainji Lake National Park. Residents have reported that seven out of ten wards in Borgu LGA are currently affected by insecurity, with hundreds of people, mostly farmers, displaced and dozens killed in recent months. Over 300,000 people are estimated to be displaced in the area. The Kpenya attack occurred barely a week after gunmen killed at least 32 people during Friday prayers at a mosque in Ungushi community, Sokoto State, including the mosque’s imam. Mass abductions for ransom have become common in parts of northwestern and north-central Nigeria, where heavily armed criminal gangs frequently raid villages, schools, and highways.