Additional details have emerged on the operation that led to the killing of Abubakar Mainok, a senior commander of the Islamic State, in what Nigerian authorities describe as one of the most intelligence-driven counterterrorism missions conducted in recent years.
Mr Mainok’s death was first announced by US President Donald Trump. About two hours later, President Bola Tinubu corroborated his US counterpart, saying the terror leader was killed in his compound in the Lake Chad region.
Mr Tinubu commended Nigerian troops and their American partners involved in the mission, saying the operation demonstrated the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led security operations against extremist groups.
The president also reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation against terrorism.
The operation, carried out jointly by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), a joint task force in the North-east, and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), targeted Mr Mainok at Metele, a border community in Borno State near the Niger Republic.
