Olusegun ARIYO

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS, worldwide, by American forces in collaboration with the Nigerian military.

Sani, in a post shared via X on Saturday, described the partnership between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism as commendable.

The former lawmaker also called for intensified efforts against insurgents.

“The partnership and successes achieved between Nigeria and the US in the war against terrorism is a commendable and welcome development, but more needs to be done. Terrorists live by the Sword,” he wrote.

His reaction followed an announcement by President Donald Trump that US forces and the Nigerian Armed Forces carried out a joint military operation that led to the killing of al-Minuki in Africa.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social account on Saturday, Trump said the operation was the outcome of extensive intelligence gathering and strategic coordination aimed at tracking the activities of the terrorist leader on the continent.

According to the US president, al-Minuki was among the most active ISIS figures and was involved in coordinating attacks and supporting terrorist operations against Americans and African communities.

Trump stated that the operation would significantly weaken ISIS activities globally and diminish the group’s presence in Africa.

He also praised the Nigerian government and military authorities for their cooperation during the mission.