U.S. Defense Official Links Nigeria Operations to Protection of Christians

A U.S. defense official said the killing of an ISIS commander in Nigeria resulted from a directive to protect Christians targeted by the group. The official stated that the operation followed an order to focus U.S. efforts on shielding those Christians from attacks.

The commander, identified as Abubakar Mainok, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, was killed during a joint U.S.-Nigeria operation on a Lake Chad island. The official added that more than 100 other ISIS members operating in northeastern Nigeria have been killed in operations conducted by U.S. Africa Command.

Background to the Operations The official said the directive responded to reports that Nigerian Christians were being targeted by ISIS. Operations occurred in areas where attacks have affected multiple communities, with officials noting that Muslims have been the most affected group in the northeast.

Last year, some U.S. lawmakers and Christian advocacy groups described violence in parts of Nigeria as targeted against Christians. A U.S. delegation visited Benue state in December.

Relations between the two countries included the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and a visa ban imposed last December. Three months later, non-essential U.S. personnel were directed to leave the country. Those measures later gave way to security cooperation.

The two governments established a joint working group, introduced a 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap in January, and launched Defence Institutional Technical Working Groups three weeks ago. U.S. support has included about 200 troops and MQ-9 surveillance drones used for intelligence and reconnaissance.