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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria and the United States conducted a joint counterterrorism operation overnight that eliminated a senior Islamic State leader, President Bola Tinubu said in a State House statement he personally signed and dated May 16, 2026.
“Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism,” the president said, describing the action as a “daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”
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Early assessments, according to the statement, confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader Abu‑Bilal Al‑Manuki, also known as Abu‑Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.
President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for the partnership with the United States in advancing shared security objectives and extended “my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”
He also commended the personnel involved on both sides “for their professionalism and courage,” and said he looked forward to “more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”
