According to a report by News Central on Saturday, May 16, 2026, a United States congressman has called for sustained counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria following the killing of Islamic State’s global second-in-command in a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces.…....
Representative Riley M. Moore reacted to the development in a post on X, where he commended the operation that led to the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki but stressed that it should not mark the end of military action against extremist groups operating in the region.
“This cannot be the final act though,” Moore wrote, urging continued pressure on terrorist networks despite the success of the strike.
The lawmaker said the wider security situation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt remains deeply concerning, describing ongoing violence in the region as one of the most severe humanitarian and religious persecution crises globally.
He also used the message to commend U.S. President Donald Trump, praising what he described as a commitment to protecting vulnerable religious communities in Nigeria. Moore thanked Trump for “keeping your promise to protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria” and for authorising what he called decisive action against high-ranking ISIS figures.
According to Moore, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki played a central role within the global ISIS structure, allegedly overseeing attack planning, coordinating hostage operations, and managing aspects of the group’s financial and logistical networks. He further claimed that such leadership figures were directly responsible for widespread violence affecting communities across different regions.
“These men were directly responsible for the horrific violence and martyrdom of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore stated.
The congressman argued that the successful strike would help weaken suspected supply and coordination routes linked to extremist networks operating between the Lake Chad Basin and Nigeria’s Middle Belt. He added that disrupting these networks was critical to reducing the flow of weapons, funding, and operational support to armed groups in the region.
Moore also expressed appreciation to both U.S. and Nigerian authorities for their coordination in the operation, commending the collaboration between U.S. Africa Command and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“We must continue to resolutely defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ from genocidal, radical Islamic terrorists,” he added, reiterating his call for sustained international engagement.
According to military sources, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed on May 16, 2026, in a precision airstrike on a compound located in the Lake Chad Basin. The operation was reportedly carried out by Nigerian troops under Operation HADIN KAI, working in close coordination with U.S. Africa Command as part of ongoing efforts to degrade extremist leadership structures in West Africa.
