Akande urges sustained Nigeria-US anti-terror operations after ISIS strike
Former Presidential Aide Laolu Akande has called for sustained joint military operations between Nigeria and the United States following the successful elimination of a senior ISIS commander during a coordinated operation in the Lake Chad Basin. Speaking on the Inside Sources programme on Channels Television on Sunday during his “My Take” segment, Akande described the […]
Former Presidential Aide Laolu Akande has called for sustained joint military operations between Nigeria and the United States following the successful elimination of a senior ISIS commander during a coordinated operation in the Lake Chad Basin.
Speaking on the Inside Sources programme on Channels Television on Sunday during his “My Take” segment, Akande described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, urging both countries to maintain momentum until insurgent groups are decisively defeated.
Akande specifically highlighted the joint overnight military action carried out on Friday by Nigerian and American forces, which reportedly led to the elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Manok, identified as one of the most wanted ISIS commanders operating in Africa.
“So, let us focus today on the joint military action that took place Friday overnight by Nigeria and the U.S. forces, military forces, against the second most ranked ISIS leader in the world, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki. This happened in the Lake Chad Basin,” Akande said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for personally informing Nigerians about the operation, describing it as a significant improvement in government communication on national security matters.
According to Akande, the President’s direct communication stood in sharp contrast to what he described as the government’s silence following an earlier American counterterrorism strike during the Christmas period last year.
“Thankfully, on this occasion, our President, President Bola Tinubu himself, was the one that informed us of this Nigeria-U.S. joint military action, unlike the Christmas Day strike of the Americans last year,” he stated.
“Here on Inside Sources, we called out the President on his outright silence on that U.S. military launching of Tomahawk missiles on terrorists in the northwest of the country last Christmas without a word from the President. But now, the President is taking full charge of communicating with the Nigerian people on this very important kind of issue. So, kudos to him.”
Akande referenced President Tinubu’s statement announcing the success of the operation, in which the Nigerian leader confirmed that intelligence assessments had verified the elimination of the wanted ISIS commander and several of his lieutenants during the strike on his compound in the Lake Chad region.
He noted that the significance of the operation was further underscored by remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly described Al-Minuki as “the most active terrorist in the world.”
Akande said the U.S. leader also expressed appreciation to Nigeria for its strategic cooperation in the mission.
“President Trump then added that the Americans are grateful to the government of Nigeria ‘for your partnership on this operation,’” he noted.
The former presidential spokesman described the operation as a major morale booster for Nigeria’s armed forces and the broader anti-terror campaign across the continent.
“Indeed, this elimination of this guy will further ginger renewed efforts by the Nigerian military to defeat the forces of evil and the forces of terrorism in our country and in Africa, where the eliminated ISIS notable leader has been hiding and leading terror attacks,” Akande said.
He commended President Tinubu, the defence ministry, the National Security Adviser, military commanders and security chiefs for what he described as a successful and strategically important operation.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the defence minister, the national security adviser, all the military and security service chiefs in the federal government on this successful operation, and we say to all of them—please keep this going.”
Akande, however, warned that while the elimination of a high-value terrorist target would temporarily disrupt insurgent operations, lasting victory would require continuous and coordinated battlefield pressure.
“While this action will disorganise the terrorists for a while and disorient them, seeing their own vulnerability, it will take sustained, continuous actions of this type to create battlefield outcomes that can end this fight against the forces of evil,” he said.
He therefore urged the Nigerian military and U.S. forces not to relent, insisting that the strategic partnership between both countries must continue if terrorism is to be defeated across the region.
“So we urge for the sustenance from the Nigerian military and the U.S. forces. The partnership should go on, and these kind of attacks and dealing with the terrorists should continue on a continuous, ongoing basis.”
Akande concluded his remarks with a strong message of national resolve, expressing confidence that Nigeria would ultimately overcome the security threats confronting the country.
“Nigeria must prevail. We must prevail against all the existential threats against our nation. Nigeria will win. Like we always say, Nigeria will prevail.”
The latest operation is expected to strengthen ongoing regional counterterrorism efforts in the Lake Chad Basin, where multinational forces have continued to battle ISIS affiliates, Boko Haram remnants, and other extremist factions threatening security across West and Central Africa.