The United States is conducting active counterterrorism operations in partnership with Nigeria, including a joint mission that killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, on May 15 in the Lake Chad Basin. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed the collaboration during a congressional hearing in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, citing ongoing cooperation between American and Nigerian security forces. Al-Minuki was killed in a targeted operation at his compound, which Rubio described as part of broader efforts to dismantle ISIS networks operating within Nigeria. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that Al-Minuki was primarily responsible for attacks on Christians in Nigeria. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the death of the ISIS leader and said several of his lieutenants were also eliminated in the same mission. Tinubu expressed support for continued joint strikes. Subsequent operations have followed, with Nigeria's Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reporting that more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters were killed in multiple US-Nigerian air strikes in Metele, Borno State. The DHQ announcement came days after Al-Minuki's death. A further operation was conducted on June 1, though details beyond the date were not provided in the source.
The US and Nigeria jointly killed ISIS's second-in-command, yet the focus on his alleged role in targeting Christians risks narrowing a complex security threat to a single narrative. President Tinubu's endorsement of more strikes follows a pattern of highlighting foreign collaboration in missions only after their success. If the partnership is ongoing, the public has not been told how these operations align with Nigeria's broader counterterrorism strategy. The lack of transparency on civilian impact or long-term goals remains unaddressed.
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