The number two of the Islamic State was killed in a joint operation by the United States and Nigeria.

Abu Bilal al-Minuki, described as the number two in the Islamic State organization worldwide, was killed during a joint military operation by US and Nigerian forces in northeastern Nigeria, it was announced Friday. Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The US president revealed the operation in a message posted on Truth Social, stating that the mission was carried out "on his orders" by US forces and the Nigerian army. According to him, the operation targeted "the world's most active terrorist" and was based on intelligence that allowed them to track the jihadist leader's movements.

Donald Trump stated that Abu Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abu Mainok, believed he could hide in Africa, but that US intelligence services had sources monitoring his activities. The jihadist leader was reportedly targeted in the Lake Chad Basin, a region where several groups affiliated with the Islamic State and Boko Haram have been active for years.

In a statement released on the X network, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu hailed it as "a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism." He added that initial assessments also confirmed the deaths of several of al-Minuki's lieutenants in the strike on their compound.

The US administration had previously designated al-Minuki as a "specially designated global terrorist." The United States has reinforced its military presence in Nigeria in recent months, notably with drones and special forces, following several operations against jihadist groups in the region.

The Lake Chad Basin, straddling Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, remains one of the main hotbeds of Islamist insurgency in Africa. Despite repeated military offensives, armed groups continue to carry out deadly attacks against civilians and security forces.

The announcement of this operation comes at a time when Washington is seeking to strengthen its security cooperation with several African countries in order to limit the expansion of jihadist organizations affiliated with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda on the continent.