By EMMANUEL OGEBE

I am elated to learn of the neutralization of a top global jihadist operator by a joint U.S.-Nigeria operation. This is the first real success of the U.S. military assistance as the Sokoto Christmas air strikes didn’t take anyone out following leaks that led to the evacuation of the terrorists.

With Trump’s disclosure, it is possible U.S. troops in country may not be merely “advise and assist” anymore. Of course they might have taken him out by a drone strike too without physical combat engagement. We hope the U.S. will extend its engagement to Fulani terrorists in the Middlebelt who have carried out over half a dozen attacks in Plateau State in one week just two hours from Bauchi state where the 200 U.S. troops are deployed. Thanks USA for dispatching them to their maker.

It should be noted that the elimination of this global terrorist as we marked the 23rd birthday of heroine christian schoolgirl and world’s youngest prisoner of conscience Leah Sharibu is a divine coincidence but not the first such occurrence.

Below is a release following Boko Haram leader Abu Shekau’s 2021 death:

“On 25th anniversary of arrest/torture, human rights lawyer warns rulers to fear “God factor” says Shekau’s demise divine answer to global prayers for Leah.

International human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe this week marked a quarter century since his abduction and torture by Gen Abacha with a prayer thanksgiving in USA.

Addressing an African Diaspora group in Washington metro on Sunday, Ogebe recounted how Gen Abacha imported prostitutes from India and met his Waterloo with them. “No man can claim credit for taking him out. He used his own hand to finish himself. That’s the God factor.”

Ogebe said that in the same vein no one can claim credit for the demise of dreaded terrorist kingpin Abu Shekau. “The US offered a $7million reward for his capture but since 2012 no one was able to get him. But let me tell you what happened.

Leah Sharibu turned 18 in captivity and prayers were held for her globally. Just days after we held a commemoration of captive Christian heroine schoolgirl Leah’s 18th birthday in service in Los Angeles on Sunday May 16, news emerged of the death of Boko Haram leader Shekau - by his own hands on Wednesday! It wasn’t the Nigerian army but God factor. What a lovely 18th birthday present for Leah from God!

I do think that the demise of the most brutal and blood thirsty terrorist in the world within 72 hours of global prayers for Leah from London to LA is no coincidence,” Mr. Ogebe said encouraging the audience that “prayer works but you in Diaspora must also be the voice for those who’s voices have been shut down with twitter at home.”

Below is his statement issued today in commemoration of his captivity as part of a month-long advocacy action activities:

… “The moral of the story is whether you are a ruler, a terror leader or a schoolgirl, fear God. Ultimate power ultimately belongs to him only.”

Here is my interview on US TV following the death of Shekau https://youtu.be/OjsvAN5runI

This week’s military success is even more significant because findings of the “Post Trump Airstrikes Security Analysis - 25th December 2025 - 30th April 2026 (https://open.substack.com/pub/therisinghope/p/stefanos-foundation-report-post-trump) by Stefanos Foundation in the span of the 127 days shows “there have been;

1. 437 Incidents

2. 1,720 persons killed

3. 1,484 persons abducted

4. 292 persons injured

AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 4 PERSONS KILLED EVERYDAY

Since the strike, the months of February and April 2026 ranked highest in numbers of incidents with 102 and 105 respectively, indicating the build of resilience in terrorist operations.

Borno and Kwara States areas ranked highest with 51 and 47 incidents respectively.

According to the report, Militant Muslim Fulani Herdsmen were responsible for 60% of incidents followed by “armed bandits” with 20%, while ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists were responsible for 15% and others with 5%.

…a trend of concentrated heavy attacks on military bases in Borno State especially which has led to the dead of scores of troops including 4 highly placed officers. This further intensifies the level of citizens’ vulnerability.

The Easter period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday also witnessed a high number of attacks, specifically validating the much-denied Genocide on Christians in Nigeria.”

Based on the foregoing data, Fulani terrorists and bandits account for 80% of the terrorist attacks compared to only 15% Boko Haram and ISWA thus the urgent need for U.S. engagement with the former.

•Emmanuel Ogebe, Esq is of U.S. Nigeria Law Group, Washington.