DHQ Confirms K!ll!ng Of ISIS Commander Linked To Dapchi Schoolgirls’ Kidnapping

According to Ireporter Online, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja, has announced the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS commander, in a coordinated counterterrorism operation involving Nigerian forces and United States military partners.

The announcement was made on Saturday by Major General Samaila Uba, who disclosed that the slain commander was allegedly involved in the 2018 abduction of over 100 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, including Leah Sharibu, who remains unaccounted for.

The DHQ described the operation as a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism across Nigeria, the Lake Chad region, and the wider Sahel, noting that it resulted from carefully coordinated intelligence-driven planning.

In the statement, the military confirmed that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was eliminated during a joint operation described as highly strategic and precise, targeting key figures within ISIS networks.

The statement further explained that al-Minuki played a major role in coordinating ISIS operations beyond Nigeria, with responsibilities spanning propaganda, economic sabotage, weapons development, explosives engineering, and drone-related technologies. His removal, the DHQ stated, disrupts a critical command structure used by ISIS to coordinate activities across multiple regions.

Military intelligence also indicated that the deceased commander may have recently been elevated to one of the highest ranks within the global ISIS hierarchy, reportedly serving as Head of the General Directorate of States, a position said to place him as the second most senior figure in the organization.

Prior to his involvement with ISIS, al-Minuki was reportedly a Boko Haram commander before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015 and expanding his activities across West Africa and the Sahel.

He was also said to have served in 2023 as the Nigeria-based al-Furqan GDP Office Emir, where he allegedly oversaw operations linked to attacks on civilians, including ethnic and religious minority groups.

The DHQ emphasized that the successful operation reflects Nigeria’s continued commitment, in partnership with international allies, to dismantling terrorist networks and safeguarding both regional and global security.