Nigeria and the United States have killed a senior Islamic State (IS) leader, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in a joint operation described as a significant step forward in the fight against terrorism. US President Donald Trump referred to al-Minuki as the second in command of ISIS globally and labeled him the most active terrorist in the world. Earlier, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu emphasized that the operation was a daring move that dealt a substantial blow to IS, as intelligence gathered over months led to a precise strike on Minuki's fortified base in the Lake Chad Basin. Al-Minuki, named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023, was responsible for overseeing IS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa. His death is said to disrupt IS's funding channels and command structures in Africa. The successful operation demonstrates the evolving cooperation and tactics of Nigerian and US forces, upholding commitments to combat the growing threat of extremist violence in the region.