US President Donald Trump has announced a major counterterror success after a joint operation involving American and Nigerian forces reportedly eliminated senior ISIS figure Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki in Africa’s Sahel region. Trump described the mission as a significant blow to the global ISIS terror network, calling the operation a high-level intelligence-driven strike coordinated between US and Nigerian security forces. According to statements from the White House, the ISIS second-in-command was tracked through an extensive intelligence network before the complex raid was launched. Trump praised Nigerian authorities and military personnel for their role in the operation, saying the mission prevented future terror threats targeting both Africa and American interests. WATCH

The United States has carried out a precision air strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government. President Donald Trump said the operation followed intelligence showing ISIS fighters targeting Christian communities, escalating U.S. involvement in West Africa’s growing security crisis. While Washington says multiple ISIS militants were killed, Nigerian officials caution the conflict is complex, affecting both Muslim and Christian populations. This report breaks down what triggered the strike, the religious freedom debate, and what comes next for U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation.