ISWAP admits killing of Commander by US, Nigerian forces

By Oguntibeju Oluwafemi

Islamic State for West Africa, [ISWAP] has admitted the death of one of its most notorious fighters, Abu Bilad Mainuki.

In a statement issued by the group on social media, its admitted that the United States intelligence had for about six months tracked Minoki before he was hacked to death.

Mainuki was killed following a coordinated, precision-led mission by Nigerian and U.S. troops in the northeastern Lake Chad basin.

The militant group ISWAP said it has formally verified the killing of its prominent leader, Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki.

Following a coordinated anti-terrorism mission by American and Nigerian forces, Presidents Donald Trump and Bola Tinubu confirmed the death of the top ISIS commander Al-Mainuki on May 16. Trump characterized the militant as a premier global threat and the second-highest
ranking figure in ISIS, remarking that the terrorist leader mistakenly believed he was out of reach in Africa

Responding to the demise of Al-Mainuki days after the strike, ISWAP issued an exhaustive declaration sighted on Thursday. Through its media networks, the insurgent faction said it verified the fatalities of both its commander and other fighters, elevating them to the status of “martyrs”

ISWAP said Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki was killed after U.S. Special Forces carried out surveillance followed by raid near Lake Chad.

The militant group condemned the United States for allocating vast military capabilities to hunt down their target for half a year using unmanned aerial vehicles and a sweeping, multi-directional heliborne assault.
The declaration noted, “Consider, devoted believers, what motivated the American crusaders to traverse vast distances all the way to this wilderness.
Deploying various types of drones, heavily armed operatives executed a synchronized, multi-front airborne invasion to seize a single man in the African bush.

ISWAP said the U.S. launched an airborne assault with heavy arms and vast troops to capture a single Muslim in the African forests.
The insurgents admitted that a principal media stronghold took a direct hit during the offensive.
What compels Washington to deploy its aircraft and elite troops… to raid a recently built propaganda hub deep in the jungle?” the statement noted.
The armed group paid tribute to their deceased press unit members from the operation, claiming they fought relentlessly until they were killed rather than give up.

The statement emphasized that they refused to yield to foes or sacrifice their religion.
The faction further defined the dead fighters as accomplished huffaz (Quran memorizers) and a highly specialized media team.
The terrorist group used another segment of the declaration to romanticize the media crew that died in the strike.

It said its members embarked on countless sleepless nights and days of fasting while laboring under harsh circumstances.

Presidents Trump and Tinubu have reinterated their determination to rid Nigeria of blood-thirsty terrorists noted for mass killings across Nigeria.

Both Nigeria and the US currently work together to exterminate terrorrists groups considered by Nigerians and the civilised world as a threat to peace and stability