Footage shows coordinated Nigeria–US strike targeting ISIS network in Lake Chad Basin

The United States Africa Command US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has released video evidence of a joint military operation carried out with Nigeria that resulted in the death of a senior Islamic State commander in northeastern Nigeria.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, the operation was conducted on May 16, 2026, under directives from U.S. leadership and in close coordination with the Government of Nigeria. The strike targeted an area with significant ISIS presence in the Lake Chad Basin region.
AFRICOM said preliminary assessments confirmed that several militants were killed, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as a top Islamic State Islamic State commander responsible for global operations. No casualties were recorded among U.S. forces involved in the mission.
The command explained that the operation was part of ongoing joint counterterrorism efforts between Nigeria and the United States aimed at disrupting extremist networks operating in the region.
AFRICOM Commander U.S. Air Force General Dagvin Anderson said the mission reflected strong military cooperation between both countries, noting that it successfully eliminated key ISIS leadership figures.
He added that the strike followed months of intelligence-sharing and coordination, describing it as evidence of an effective partnership in combating terrorism.
Anderson further stated that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki played a significant role in ISIS global activities, including strategic planning, financing operations, propaganda dissemination, weapons development, explosives manufacturing, and drone deployment.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu praised the operation, calling it a bold and successful joint mission that inflicted serious damage on ISIS operations in the region.
The release of the footage comes amid continued military collaboration between Nigeria and the United States targeting extremist groups across the North-East and the wider Lake Chad Basin.
Security analysts have described the development as a major setback for ISIS-linked networks in West Africa, while warning that insurgent groups remain active and adaptable in the region.