Trump Counterterrorism Adviser Reveals Secret U.S.-Nigerian Operation Killed 199 Terrorists, Including Top ISIS Leader

Washington, D.C. – Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, disclosed details of a highly successful secret joint U.S.-Nigerian military operation last month that resulted in the deaths of 199 suspected terrorists, including a senior ISIS commander.

Gorka, speaking on the “Just the News, No Noise” program, described the mission as “the most successful counterterrorism operation since September 11,” highlighting its scale and intelligence gains against ISIS networks operating in Africa.

President Donald Trump personally approved the deployment of American forces to Nigeria to target Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a top Islamic State leader. The operation successfully eliminated al-Minuki and produced substantial new intelligence on ISIS activities in the region.

“This is a historic moment, because that operation in Nigeria ... that one operation led to the killing of 199 enemies,” Gorka stated. He added that the broader Trump administration counterterrorism efforts have now permanently removed approximately 1,031 jihadists from the battlefield since the start of the second term.

Gorka contrasted the current strategy with prior administrations. He recalled that upon entering office in 2017, Trump rejected the notion from the Obama era that Americans would simply have to “live with” ISIS. Trump’s first-term actions dismantled the group’s physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria within months.

Under the Biden administration, Gorka said counterterrorism operations were paused, allowing surviving ISIS elements to regroup in places like Nigeria. The recent mission, along with Christmas Day airstrikes on ISIS camps in Nigeria last year, signals a return to aggressive action. Those earlier strikes were in retaliation for attacks on Christians and reportedly saved tens or hundreds of thousands of lives, according to Trump.

Gorka emphasized the administration’s “peace through strength” approach, which involves realistic threat assessments free of political considerations. Operations now target not only high-level planners but also mid-tier operatives who spread jihadist ideology via social media and recruitment.

The disclosure underscores enhanced coordination between the National Security Council, Department of Defense, and State Department. It fits into Trump’s broader national security directive prioritizing threats from jihadists, cartels, and domestic extremists while avoiding nation-building or regime change abroad.

Details of the Nigeria mission remain classified beyond Gorka’s public comments, but the reported body count and intelligence haul represent a significant blow to ISIS affiliates in West Africa, where the group has exploited instability to expand operations. No U.S. casualties were mentioned in available reporting.

This operation exemplifies the administration’s proactive counterterrorism posture aimed at protecting American interests and allies without prolonged ground engagements.