Falana Blasts Tinubu, Trump Over Conflicting ISIS Leader killing
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has criticised President Bola Tinubu for backing claims by United States President Donald Trump on the killing of a senior ISWAP commander, saying the Nigerian military had already reported the same suspect dead in 2024.
The controversy follows fresh announcements in 2026 about the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a joint operation.
Falana said the President should rely on official briefings from the Defence Headquarters rather than foreign statements. He argued that inconsistent reports on the terrorist’s status raise concerns about how counterterrorism information is managed.
The lawyer said accurate communication is vital in national security matters.
Confusion grew after Nigerian authorities had earlier listed Minuki among terrorists killed in 2024 operations, while both Tinubu and Trump later announced his death again in 2026.
Military records had previously linked the commander to several attacks in northern Nigeria before the earlier announcement of his elimination.
The latest claims have triggered debate over possible intelligence gaps or mistaken identity in earlier reports.
Falana said the situation shows the need for stronger coordination and verified information in security updates. The issue has now drawn wider public attention to how counterterrorism successes are reported.
