Story perspectives

South African Special Forces abduct, kill IS militant Abadigga

8/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

South African special forces allegedly abducted and killed Abdella Abadigga, an alleged Islamic State militant, in December 2022.
Abadigga received South African asylum in 2008, was arrested abroad in 2017, and was reportedly smuggled back by the military.
The U.S. government sanctioned Abadigga in 2022 as an IS recruiter and supporter of Bilal al-Sudani.
Mall of Africa CCTV captured a man following Abadigga and recorded the kidnappers’ licence plates.

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Story summary

South African special forces allegedly abducted and killed Abdella Abadigga, an alleged Islamic State militant, in December 2022.
Abadigga received South African asylum in 2008, was arrested abroad in 2017, and was reportedly smuggled back by the military.
The U.S. government sanctioned Abadigga in 2022 as an IS recruiter and supporter of Bilal al-Sudani.
Mall of Africa CCTV captured a man following Abadigga and recorded the kidnappers’ licence plates.