United States President Donald Trump ‌said ⁠on Friday ⁠that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command ⁠of ‌ISIS globally, had been ⁠eliminated in an operation conducted by ‌US and Nigerian forces. "Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield. 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," said Trump in a post on Truth Social. He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans. With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished. Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" said the United States President. Nigeria had earlier come under scrutiny from Trump ⁠who had said that Christians there were being persecuted, which the African nation's government denies.The US had struck what it said were Islamist bases in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day last year, following Trump's accusations.