US Defence Secretary Says ISIS Commander Killed in Nigeria Was Responsible for Attacks on Christians

Pete Hegseth says Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of Islamic State (ISIS), was largely responsible for attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria.

Al-Minuki was reportedly killed on May 15 during a joint United States-Nigerian military operation targeting his compound in the Lake Chad Basin region.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Hegseth said the US military operations against ISIS in Nigeria were carried out in line with directives from Donald Trump to protect persecuted Christians.

According to a Pentagon report, Hegseth said Trump had instructed the US Department of Defense to intensify efforts against extremist groups allegedly targeting Christian communities in Nigeria.

“Maybe a year ago, the president heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS,” Hegseth said.

“And, over the past month — and there hasn’t been much coverage of this — we killed ISIS’ No. 2 commander, who was most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland.”

Joint Operation Targets ISIS Network

US troops reportedly began targeting Islamist militants in Nigeria late last year following allegations of widespread attacks against Christian communities.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who confirmed Al-Minuki’s death, said several of the ISIS commander’s lieutenants were also killed during the military operation.

The mission was carried out in the Lake Chad Basin, an area long affected by insurgency and extremist violence linked to groups operating across parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

US Claims More ISIS Fighters Eliminated

Hegseth said intelligence gathered during recent operations had also led to the elimination of hundreds of ISIS members allegedly involved in attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

He added that the Trump administration remains committed to efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable religious communities and combating extremist violence.

The comments come amid continued concerns over insecurity and insurgent attacks in parts of northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.