President Bola Tinubu has called for intensified military strikes against terrorist enclaves after a joint Nigeria-US operation eliminated wanted ISIS commander Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki in the Lake Chad Basin.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Tinubu said he expects “more decisive strikes” against terrorist strongholds following the successful joint operation carried out by Nigerian and American forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

The President commended the professionalism and bravery of the troops involved in the operation, while expressing gratitude to United States President Donald Trump for his support and leadership in the counterterrorism effort.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” Tinubu said.

“I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.”

Tinubu said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of international collaboration in combating terrorism, noting that Nigerian forces worked closely with the United States Armed Forces to deliver a significant blow to the Islamic State network.

“Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State,” the President stated.

He disclosed that early assessments confirmed the elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, alongside several of his lieutenants during an airstrike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.

The Defence Headquarters also confirmed the development in a separate statement on Saturday, describing Al-Manuki as a “wanted global terrorist” and a key figure within the Islamic State hierarchy.

Earlier, President Trump announced the killing of the terrorist commander through a post on his Truth Social platform late Friday, describing Al-Manuki as ISIS’ second-in-command globally.

According to Trump, the operation was jointly executed by “brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” resulting in the elimination of what he called “the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield.”

Trump said Al-Manuki had been operating from Africa while coordinating terrorist activities linked to the Islamic State group.

“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” Trump wrote.

He added that the slain ISIS leader “will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” stressing that the operation had significantly weakened the global operations of the terrorist organisation.

“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished,” Trump stated.

The US president also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission.

“Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he added.