The United States military has released footage from a joint operation conducted with Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.Â
The collective effort reportedly resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior terrorist figure believed to have held a top leadership role within the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The development was first made public by former U.S. President Donald Trump through a post on social media. Shortly after, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the operation, while Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters also issued a confirmation on the same day.
Further details emerged after the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) released a video clip of the military strike via its social media platforms on Saturday, May 16.
According to AFRICOM, the mission was carried out a day earlier, on Friday, May 15, in collaboration with Nigerian security forces. The command added that multiple terrorist figures were neutralised during the operation, including al-Minuki.
However, the footage has since sparked reactions among Nigerians on social media, with many sharing their thoughts on the operation and the role of both countries in the mission.
Watch the video below
Last night’s operation targeted a significant presence of ISIS fighters in Northeastern Nigeria eliminating multiple high value individuals including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki. pic.twitter.com/lNj4AMSITH
— U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) May 16, 2026
Below are some of the comments gathered online.
Reacting to the clip, a user identified as Lawry stated that the Nigerian Air Force had previously shared several similar videos of military operations on its official page
“Before you come here and say rubbish about the Nigerian Military, go to the Nigerian Air Force handle, and you will see so many videos like this. Don’t embarrass yourself.”
Another Netizen Edidem expressed worries about life in tbe affected communities.
“Eliminating high-value ISIS targets in Nigeria is a tactical win. But ‘make it rain’? This isn’t a video game. The real victory isn’t drones and body counts, it’s what happens the next morning. Does that village get a school instead of a recruiting centre? Does a farmer go home instead of joining the next cell? Kill the commander, sure. But if you don’t kill the grievance that grew him, someone else just changes their name and picks up where he left off. So yes, good op. Now show us the long game.”
Abiodun said: “Thanks for raining bombs on the evil terrorist US Government. We are grateful to the American Government for this bombardment of the terrorist enclave in Nigeria. We need more of it. Well done.”
