The United States, U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has issued a security alert to its staff and American citizens over airstrikes against ISIS in North-East Nigeria.
“In light of the U.S.-Nigeria military action on May 16, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria informs U.S. citizens that U.S. Embassy and Consulate personnel have been reminded to exercise personal awareness and to consider limiting unnecessary travel,” the security advisory stated.
It added, “The U.S. Mission in Nigeria reminds U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of personal awareness, avoid predictable routines, and take general security precautions.”
More airstrikes launched in the North-East followed the killing of ISIS’s top commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki. The U.S. Africa Command announced this on Monday. USAFRICOM killed Mr. Al-Minuki on Friday.
“On May 17, 2026, U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, conducted additional kinetic strikes against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria.
“Intelligence confirmed the targets were ISIS militants. Complete assessments are ongoing. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed. The removal of these terrorists diminishes the group’s capacity to plan attacks that threaten the safety and security of the U.S. and our partners.
“AFRICOM remains committed to leveraging specialised U.S. capabilities in support of our partners to defeat shared security threats,” a statement on Monday said.
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military, in collaboration with Nigerian forces, eliminated Mr Al-Minuki.
Mr Al-Mainuki, 44, is a Nigerian born in Mainok, Borno. The U.S. designated him a specially designated global terrorist on June 8, 2023.
President Bola Tinubu commended the United States of America and the Nigerian security forces for the operation on Saturday.
