The Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, has announced the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, during a joint military operation carried out with the support of the United States Africa Command in Borno State.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the coordinated assault followed “sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance operations” targeting terrorist activities within the Lake Chad Basin.
Uba disclosed that troops launched the offensive on a fortified insurgent enclave located in Metele, a known terrorist stronghold in northern Borno.
“The operation commenced at approximately 12:01 a.m. on May 16 and was successfully concluded around 4:00 a.m. with precision air strikes supported by ground forces,” the statement read.
He explained that special forces personnel were strategically deployed to block possible escape routes while also providing tactical support to the air component involved in the mission.
The military confirmed that Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was killed alongside several other commanders and fighters linked to the extremist group.
Operation Hadin Kai further noted that the slain insurgent leader had earlier been designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States government in June 2023 under Executive Order 13224.
According to the statement, Al-Minuki was accused of coordinating funding and operational support for terrorist networks operating across the Sahel and the Lake Chad region.
Describing the mission as a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East, the task force stated that the development would significantly weaken the operational capacity of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and affiliated terror groups.
“No casualty or equipment loss was recorded on the side of the troops during the operation,” Uba added.
The military also disclosed that battle damage assessment and clearance operations were still ongoing in the area to identify and neutralise any fleeing insurgents who may have survived the assault.
