Source: Africa Publicity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday thanked President Donald Trump for supporting the fight against terrorism in Nigeria as he confirmed that Nigerian and United States forces carried out a joint counterterrorism operation that reportedly eliminated a senior Islamic State leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, in the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement posted on Facebook on May 16, 2026, Tinubu said the operation marked “a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.”
The Nigerian leader stated that “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.”
According to the President, “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.”
Tinubu praised the partnership between both countries, saying Nigeria values the cooperation in tackling terrorism and strengthening regional security.
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives,” he said.
The President also thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his support during the operation.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” Tinubu stated.
He further commended the military personnel involved in the operation, describing their conduct as professional and courageous.
“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,” he added.
The Lake Chad Basin has remained a major hotspot for insurgent activities involving Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other extremist groups operating across Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
