US and Nigeria Kill Top ISIS Leader in Surprise Night Raid.

US and Nigerian forces have killed a senior leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) group in Nigeria.

President Donald Trump announced the success of the joint operation on social media. The target, Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, was described as the second-in-command of ISIS worldwide. He was in charge of planning attacks, raising money, and directing operations for the group.

The raid took place on Friday night in the Lake Chad Basin area. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed that al-Mainuki and several of his top aides were killed in a strike on his compound. The military called it a "highly complex" night operation that lasted three hours and ended with no losses on their side.

Nigerian officials said this is one of the biggest wins against terrorism in the region since 2015. Al-Mainuki was a key figure in the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). He was born in Borno State in 1982 and had been wanted for years. The US had sanctioned him in 2023.

Some experts question whether he was truly ISIS's global number two, but all sides agree his death is a major blow to the group. It could create confusion and weaken ISWAP.

This operation is part of a new security partnership between the US and Nigeria that started last year. The US has sent troops and drones to help Nigeria fight terrorist groups.