Military reveals how Operation Hadin Kai killed ISIS leader in Metele air-land operation
The Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has confirmed the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, a senior leader of the Islamic State, during a coordinated air-land operation in Metele area of Borno State.
The Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the operation was carried out in collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) after sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts.
According to the military, the mission targeted a concealed and fortified terrorist enclave located in Metele within the Lake Chad Basin axis.
Uba said the operation led to the neutralisation of Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, alongside several of his lieutenants and other terrorist combatants.
He stated that the deceased commander was a United States-designated Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), listed in June 2023 under Executive Order 13224 for allegedly coordinating funding and operational activities for extremist networks across the Sahel and Lake Chad region.
The military said the operation commenced at about 12:01 a.m. and ended around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, involving precision air strikes backed by ground troops.
It added that special forces were deployed to block escape routes and support the air component during the mission, which was executed without casualties or equipment loss on the part of friendly forces.
Operation Hadin Kai described the development as a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East, noting that the operation would significantly weaken the operational capacity of the Islamic State West Africa Province and affiliated terrorist networks in the region.
