According to a report by TheCable on Saturday May 16th, 2026, the Nigerian Army has revealed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the slain second-in-command of ISIS globally, established a heavily fortified terrorist enclave in Metele, Borno State, before he was killed in a joint military operation involving Nigerian and American forces.
The development followed an announcement by Donald Trump, who disclosed in a late-night Truth Social post that al-Minuki was eliminated during what he described as a “meticulously planned and very complex” operation carried out by troops from both countries.
According to military intelligence, the ISIS commander had built a concealed operational base in the Metele area of Borno State, where he allegedly coordinated terrorist activities and strengthened extremist networks across the region.
Security reports also linked al-Minuki to several deadly operations, including the 2018 Dapchi school abduction that shocked Nigeria and drew global condemnation.
Trump stated that the terrorist leader believed he could remain hidden in Africa, but intelligence sources continuously tracked his activities.
“He thought he could hide in Africa,” Trump said, “but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.”
The successful mission has been described as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in West Africa.
Security analysts believe the elimination of al-Minuki could weaken ISIS operations within the Lake Chad region and reduce the group’s influence in northeastern Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army has continued to intensify counter-terrorism operations across Borno and other troubled areas as authorities work to dismantle remaining insurgent strongholds and restore stability to affected communities….Read_More…