… U.S. defence chief says joint operation with Nigerian forces killed ISIS commander linked to attacks in Lake Chad region
The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has revealed that President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prioritise the protection of Christians in Nigeria targeted by ISIS-linked terrorist groups.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, saying President Trump issued the directive after learning about attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
According to him, the operation involved intelligence gathering, behind-the-scenes coordination and the deployment of military assets aimed at combating terrorism in the region.
He stated that intelligence obtained during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS in Nigeria, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin earlier this month.
Hegseth said the operation also led to the elimination of hundreds of ISIS fighters allegedly linked to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and threats against the United States homeland.
The U.S. defence chief described the mission as part of the Trump administration’s wider counterterrorism strategy and commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.
According to him, several security operations carried out by the U.S. military often receive little public attention despite their impact on global security efforts.
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was reportedly killed in a coordinated military operation in northeast Nigeria involving American and Nigerian forces.