President Bola Tinubu has confirmed elimination of wanted ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuk, in a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigerian and United States Armed Forces.
President Tinubu made this known in a Statement, describing the operation as a major success in the ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He further disclosed that, the operation carried out in the Lake Chad Basin, also led to the killing of several of Al-Manuk’s lieutenants during a coordinated strike on his compound.
The President maintained that the development indicates growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in tackling terrorist threats within the region.
The statement reads “Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.”
“Early assessments 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’
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.”
“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”