United States Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, has said Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS, was a key figure behind attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria.
Hegseth disclosed this during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday while speaking on recent US military operations against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
According to him, Al-Minuki was killed on May 15 during a joint operation conducted by US and Nigerian forces targeting his hideout in the Lake Chad Basin.
The US defence chief said the operation formed part of efforts by the American government to respond to concerns over attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
“Maybe a year ago, the president heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS,” Hegseth said during the meeting.
He added that President Donald Trump had directed the US military to intensify efforts aimed at protecting persecuted Christians and combating extremist groups linked to ISIS.
Hegseth further claimed that Al-Minuki was not only responsible for attacks against Christians in Nigeria but was also involved in plots targeting the United States homeland.
US military operations against Islamist extremist groups in Nigeria reportedly intensified late last year following allegations of widespread violence against Christian communities in parts of the country.
