U.S., Nigeria Kill IS-West Africa Leader in Strike
PUBLISHED May 16, 2026, 4:53 AM ET
Read, Watch or Listen
Nigeria — U.S. and Nigerian forces killed Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, a senior Islamic State West Africa leader, in a mission carried out Friday in the Lake Chad Basin, President Donald Trump said in a late-night social media post. U.S. officials described al-Mainuki as key to IS organizing and finance. An anonymous U.S. official provided additional details to reporters. Washington officials and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed the strike this week, saying al-Mainuki and several lieutenants were killed during a strike on his compound; authorities said the operation aimed to disrupt plots against U.S. interests. U.S. and Nigerian agencies said further details and operational assessments would follow in coming days.
By Najma A. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 2018: Mamman Nur, previous IS-West Africa leader, was killed.
- Post-2018: Abu Bakr al-Mainuki assumed leadership of IS-West Africa.
- This week (Friday): U.S. and Nigerian forces conducted a joint mission in the Lake Chad Basin.
- Same day: President Trump announced the operation via a late-night social media post.
- This week: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed al-Mainuki and several lieutenants were killed.
News Intelligence
- This operation targeted a key figure in IS-West Africa, a group linked to threats against U.S. interests. Your safety is the priority. Stay informed about global security issues. It helps you understand potential risks.
Comments