By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has reportedly confirmed the death of one of its senior commanders, Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki, following an alleged United States Special Forces operation in the Lake Chad region of North-East Nigeria.
The confirmation was contained in a statement circulated through the group’s media channels, in which ISWAP referred to those killed in the raid as “martyrs,” indirectly acknowledging losses sustained during the operation.
The reported strike took place about two weeks ago and targeted an ISWAP command and media facility located within the Lake Chad basin forests, a known stronghold of the insurgent group.
Security sources said the operation involved precision air and ground coordination, supported by surveillance drones, intelligence assets, and attack aircraft focused on high-value targets linked to the Islamic State network.
According to the sources, several militants were killed, including suspected foreign fighters associated with ISIS, as well as individuals believed to be linked to the group’s forest enclave.
In its statement, ISWAP appeared to confirm the death of Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki while questioning the scale of the operation and the involvement of U.S. forces, claiming he had been under prolonged surveillance before the raid.
The group alleged that elite forces carried out an airborne assault involving heavy gunfire in an attempt to neutralise or capture its commander in the forested terrain.
ISWAP further claimed that its media headquarters was specifically targeted, describing the facility as newly established and located deep within the forest.
The insurgent group said members of its media unit fought and were killed during the raid, portraying them as committed operatives who did not surrender.
Although ISWAP did not disclose casualty figures, intelligence sources reportedly estimated that dozens of fighters were killed, causing significant disruption to the group’s command and propaganda structure in the Lake Chad axis.
Security analysts say the operation reflects ongoing counterterrorism efforts aimed at degrading extremist capabilities and preventing insurgent groups from rebuilding operational and media networks across West Africa.
