LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP)—A senior Islamic State group leader, described as “the most active terrorist in the world”, has been killed in a joint operation by US and Nigerian forces in the west African country, the two countries’ presidents said.

Under US sanctions since 2023, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was the second-in-command of IS worldwide, according to US President Donald Trump and the two militaries.

The killing comes as IS activity is increasingly concentrated in Africa. It hit a record high of 86 percent in the first quarter of 2026, up from 49 percent in all of 2024, according to a report by global conflict monitor ACLED released this week.