The Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has confirmed the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, a senior commander of the Islamic State, during a coordinated air-land operation in Metele, Borno State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) after sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
According to the statement, the operation targeted a concealed and fortified terrorist enclave located in Metele within the Lake Chad Basin axis.
“The operation led to the neutralisation of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, alongside several of his lieutenants and other terrorist combatants,” Uba stated.
He noted that the deceased commander had been designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in June 2023 under Executive Order 13224 for allegedly coordinating funding and operational activities for extremist networks across the Sahel and Lake Chad region.
“The mission commenced at about 12:01 a.m. and concluded around 4:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, involving precision air strikes supported by ground forces,” the OPHK spokesman said.
Uba added that special forces were strategically deployed to block escape routes and provide operational support for the air component throughout the mission.
“The operation was executed without casualties or equipment loss on the part of friendly forces,” he said.
He further disclosed that Battle Damage Assessment was ongoing, while follow-up exploitation operations were being conducted to eliminate remaining terrorist elements within the area.
Describing the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the North-East, Uba said the development would significantly weaken the operational capability of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and affiliated terrorist networks operating in the region.
“This success marks a significant degradation of the operational capacity of ISWAP and its affiliated networks within the Lake Chad Basin,” the statement added.