The operation to eliminate Abu-Bilal al-Minuki took place on Friday, as US Donald Trump revealed in a social media post. Al-Minuki was seen as a key figure in the organization and financing of the Islamic State (IS) and was involved in planning attacks against the United States and its interests.
Trump described al-Minuki as “the most active terrorist in the world” and emphasized that his death would significantly weaken IS’s global operations. “He will no longer terrorize people in Africa or assist in planning attacks against Americans,” Trump stated.
The exact circumstances of the attack were not specified, but Trump thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the operation. The Nigerian government had previously denied allegations of discriminating against Christians and emphasized that its security forces are combating armed groups that attack both Christians and Muslims.
In November, Trump designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” regarding religious freedom and threatened possible sanctions, which were rejected by Nigeria’s president. The Nigerian government insists that its security measures affect all religious groups.
