US and Nigeria kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr alMainuki in operation

United States and Nigerian forces killed Abu Bakr alMainuki, a senior Islamic State leader, in a joint military operation in northeastern Nigeria late Friday. The operation, confirmed by both governments, targeted a compound in the Lake Chad Basin area.

U.S. Africa Command said the strike was conducted on May 16, 2026, in coordination with Nigeria. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu stated that alMainuki was killed alongside several of his lieutenants. The Nigerian military described the operation as a precision air-land assault conducted by elements of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint task force in the northeast, together with AFRICOM. Officials said the operation began around midnight and concluded by 4 a.m. Saturday, following a prolonged intelligence effort. No U.S. or Nigerian personnel were reported harmed.

Abu Bakr alMainuki, also known as Abu Bilal alMinuki, was born in 1982 in Borno State. He rose through militant networks in the region, becoming a senior figure linked to ISIS operations in Africa. The U.S. designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2023. U.S. officials said he provided strategic direction for ISIS media and financial operations, weapons...