₦airaland Forum

Earlier today, I visited my brother and fellow aspirant in the @ADCNig presidential primaries, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, @Mohayatudeen, at his residence in Lagos. Our discussions on the state of our nation and party were frank and productive. We resolved to work together in the challenging task of reclaiming and rebuilding our beloved country for the greater good of our people. -AA

Earlier today, I visited my brother and fellow aspirant in the @ADCNig presidential primaries, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, @Mohayatudeen, at his residence in Lagos. Our discussions on the state of our nation and party were frank and productive. We resolved to work together in… pic.twitter.com/IUWZAyaXeR

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) May 31, 2026

First Photograph of ISIS Global Second-in-Command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki Surfaces After Killing By Joint Nigeria-US Operation

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama has published what is believed to the first publicly available photograph of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abbor Mainok, following his reported death during a joint Nigeria-United States counterterrorism operation in Metele, Borno State.

Makama said the photograph was released by sources.

The photograph, obtained exclusively by Makama from sources familiar with the operation on Sunday was reportedly taken shortly after the terrorist commander was neutralised during an intelligence-led military action targeting senior ISWAP leadership in the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, sources said the image represents the first known photograph of al-Minuki since he joined the Boko Haram insurgency years ago and rose through the ranks to become one of ISWAP’s most wanted and elusive commanders.

According to security officials, al-Minuki had remained largely invisible to security agencies and the public throughout his years within the insurgency, with no verified photographs of him previously available despite his prominence within the terrorist organisation.

Intelligence sources told Makama that the image was taken by fighters who recovered the body and bury him two days after.

The photograph is expected to provide further confirmation of the identity of the slain commander and offer rare insight into one of the insurgency's most secretive figures.

Late on Friday, May 15, 2026, United States President Donald Trump announced that American and Nigerian forces had jointly carried out a military operation that killed a senior Islamic State (ISIS) commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the terrorist group's second-in-command globally.

Trump made the disclosure in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying the operation was conducted on his directive and involved what he described as a “meticulously planned and very complex mission.”

“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote.

Trump named the target as “Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally,” adding: “He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.”

According to documents from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, al-Minuki was born in 1982 in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno, which borders Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Trump did not specify where the attack happened.

He said al-Minuki “thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.”

He also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation, and said “with his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”

The Defence Headquarters in Abuja subsequently confirmed the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, describing him as a senior ISIS commander and one of the world's most wanted terrorists, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by Nigerian and U.S. forces.

In a statement issued on Saturday by Major General Samaila Uba, the military said al-Minuki was linked to several high-profile terrorist activities, including the abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls from Dapchi, Yobe State, in 2018.

The victims included Leah Sharibu, who remains in captivity.

Zagazola Obtains First-Ever Photo of ISWAP Commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki After Joint Nigeria-U.S. Operation

By Zagazola Makama

Sources have released what is believed to be the first publicly available photograph of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abbor Mainok, following his reported death during a joint Nigeria-United States counterterrorism operation in Metele, Borno State.

The photograph, obtained exclusively by Zagazola Makama from sources familiar with the operation on Sunday was reportedly taken shortly after the terrorist commander was neutralised during an intelligence-led military action targeting senior ISWAP leadership in the Lake Chad region.

Sources said the image represents the first known photograph of al-Minuki since he joined the Boko Haram insurgency years ago and rose through the ranks to become one of ISWAP’s most wanted and elusive commanders.

According to security officials, al-Minuki had remained largely invisible to security agencies and the public throughout his years within the insurgency, with no verified photographs of him previously available despite his prominence within the terrorist organisation.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the image was taken by fighters who recovered the body and bury him two days after.

The photograph is expected to provide further confirmation of the identity of the slain commander and offer rare insight into one of the insurgency's most secretive figures.

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has assured Nigerians that the country’s security and economic challenges are not insurmountable, urging both leaders and followers to play their roles in finding lasting solutions.
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‎Speaking during the Sallah durbar in Kano on Wednesday, the emir said Nigeria is facing serious challenges in security, the economy, and social cohesion, but expressed confidence that “by the grace of God, there will be solutions as long as leaders ensure justice and followers support them.”
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‎Sanusi, who led the Eid prayer at the Kano Central Eid ground in Kofar Mata, reminded Muslims of the importance of slaughtering a sacrificial ram, describing it as an act of worship that draws servants closer to God.

He also encouraged them to extend a helping hand to the needy.
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‎Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, his deputy Murtala Sule Garo, and several top government officials were in attendance.
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‎The emir further urged citizens to return to the Almighty by doing what He likes and avoiding anything that could lead to His wrath.
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He stressed that God has promised not to change people’s predicament unless they themselves also change.
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‎He called on Nigerians to respect national laws, pay greater attention to education, and prioritise the upbringing of cchildren

He also appealed for continued support to security personnel in their fight against insecurity.
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‎After leading the prayers, Sanusi mounted his horse and rode from the palace to the Eid ground and back, in line with tradition.

The durbar procession attracted large crowds of residents and visitors.
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‎For the first time in recent years, the emir is also scheduled to host other major Sallah durbars including Hawan Nassarawa, Hawan Daushe, Hawan Fanisau, and Hawan Dorayi, which are expected to further showcase Kano’s rich cultural heritage.
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‎In the last two years, the emirate did not witness Sallah durbar due to a crisis between Sanusi and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, 15th Emir of Kano.

Sallah: ‘Everything going from bad to worse’ – Nigerians lament low-key celebration amid hardship

Nigerians are once again faced with hardship as they mark the 2026 Eid el-Kabir (Sallah) amid significant economic difficulty, orchestrated by continuous inflation, surging costs of livestock, and spiking transportation fares.

Many families are adjusting their celebrations to manage the financial strain with food inflation and overall living costs biting harder.

This is as Nigeria’s inflation rate has increased with average Nigerians bearing the brunt.

According to the latest Consumer Price Index, CPI, released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Nigeria’s headline inflation now stands at 15.69 per cent as of April 2026.

DAILY POST reports that the traditional purchase of rams has become a major financial hurdle with premium rams going for as high as N750,000 to over N1.5 million.

Many households are abandoning the purchase of rams entirely, instead opting to pool resources to buy cows or turning to more affordable alternatives like fish.

Checks by DAILY POST at the Mararaba market, an outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja domiciled in Nasarawa State, revealed that medium-sized rams that were sold for between N200,000 and N300,000 last year now go for as much as N500,000, while larger breeds exceed N800,000 or more.

Surveying food items in the same market, DAILY POST found that items such as rice, tomatoes, onions, pepper, and vegetable oil have also recorded sharp increases, causing many households to either reduce their celebration plans or seek cheaper alternatives.

Similarly, traders lament declining patronage as customers now spend more time bargaining or simply leave markets without buying.

Butchers, poultry sellers, transporters, and foodstuff dealers all describe a business environment weighed down by rising operational costs and shrinking consumer purchasing power.

Speaking to DAILY POST at the same area, a ram seller, Yusuf Ahmed, said he was worried about the significant spike in animal feed costs, which according to him has affected ram and cow prices in the market.

According to him, goats now start at approximately N150,000, depending on size and breed, adding that sales this year are disappointing compared to previous years, with many potential buyers delaying their purchases or opting for smaller animals due to economic hardship.

“The price of food for rams and cows has risen too much; that is why prices are high. The sales are not as good as before or last year. People are not buying like they used to,” he said.

Another ram seller, Mustapha Ali, lamented a significant slowdown in business, expressing hope for increased patronage as Sallah approaches.

“What I have noticed is that people come to the market to inquire about ram prices and then leave. Last year, there was a noticeable rush of customers at this time, but this year, people are overwhelmed by the prices,” he added.

At Nyanya market, DAILY POST gathered that live chickens that were sold for between N12,000 and N18,000 last year are now priced between N25,000 and N40,000, depending on their size.

Speaking to our correspondent, a chicken seller, Mr Mohammed Nuhu said traders are often blamed by customers for the price increase, even though they are also affected by the current economic situation.

According to him, the costs of poultry feed, transportation, and maintenance had all risen, making it difficult for sellers to lower prices despite complaints from customers.

He also added that many families who can no longer afford rams were now turning to chickens as an alternative for the Ileya celebration, lamenting that even chicken prices have become unaffordable for some households.

“The sales are low, and it’s not our fault. The price is high, and it’s not our fault.

“We are even having low patronage because unlike last year, people are not trooping into the market to buy them from us. Things are just getting worse in Nigeria,” he said.

Touring the staple food items section of the market, DAILY POST reports that their prices have significantly increased in anticipation of the celebration, with traders confirming spikes in the prices of rice, tomatoes, onions, pepper, and vegetable oil.

A bag of pepper has risen sharply due to supply disruptions from northern Nigeria, while tomatoes, onions, and cooking oil have also recorded noticeable price increases.

A pepper seller, Mrs Amina Audu, lamented the current high costs of tomatoes and other food items, describing the situation as terrible.

Mrs Audu pointed out that many customers often accuse traders of deliberately inflating prices without understanding the challenges they face in bringing goods to the market.

“The price of a basket of tomatoes is terrible. People don’t want to understand and think we just increase prices without reason,” she added.

According to her, transportation remains one of the biggest challenges affecting food prices across markets, as moving goods from farms and the northern parts of the country has become increasingly expensive, forcing traders to adjust their prices to survive.

She called on governments at all levels to urgently wade in by reducing transportation costs and improving conditions for traders and transporters.

“We are begging the government to help us reduce transportation costs because that is one of the major problems affecting food prices,” she added.