Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters announced in 2024 that ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki had been killed, raising questions after U.S. Africa Command said the same man was killed in a joint Nigeria–U.S. operation on May 16, 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump and AFRICOM released footage of the May 16 strike, saying it killed al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s director of global operations, and other senior leaders in northeastern Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu confirmed the operation and thanked U.S. forces.
But in February 2024, then-Director of Defence Media Operations Maj. Gen. Edward Buba told reporters in Abuja that al-Minuki, also known as Abubakar Mainok, was killed on Feb. 21, 2024, during operations in the Birnin Gwari forest and along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. Buba said more than 50 fighters were neutralized between January and March 2024.
The discrepancy echoes past military claims about Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who was declared dead multiple times before appearing in videos alive.
Security analyst Ridwan Aleshinloye said repeated conflicting reports weaken public trust and create confusion. He urged the military to verify information before releasing it to avoid credibility gaps.
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The Defence Headquarters has not commented on the contradiction as of press time.
[Adapted from Daily Trust]
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