The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has clarified that no foreign soldier took part in the ground operation that led to the killing of notorious terrorist commander, Abu Bilal Al-Minuki.
The military said the operation was carried out entirely by Nigerian troops, while the United States only provided intelligence and surveillance support to assist the mission.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made the clarification during a television programme monitored in Abuja, where he gave details about the operation and the wider fight against terrorism in the country.
According to him, the successful mission showed the growing strength, professionalism and tactical ability of the Nigerian Armed Forces in tackling insecurity across different parts of the country.
“There were no foreign boots on the ground during this operation,” Onoja said.
“What we received were intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support and other force enablers.”
The military officer explained that the operation was a carefully planned precision strike against a high-profile terrorist leader who had been on the radar of both Nigerian and international security agencies for years.
He said troops carried out the operation with discipline and accuracy, adding that no Nigerian soldier lost his life during the mission.
“We are happy to state that due to our troops’ professionalism, there was no loss of life on our side,” he said.
Onoja said months of intelligence gathering and monitoring helped security agencies to track the exact location of the terrorist commander before the final assault was launched.
According to him, commanders only approved the strike after receiving verified and credible intelligence reports.
The Defence Headquarters also dismissed earlier reports suggesting that Al-Minuki had been killed in 2024, saying the previous information was based on mistaken identity.
Onoja explained that the terrorist leader used several aliases over the years, making it difficult for security agencies to properly identify and track him.
“The man neutralised was the original Abu Bilal Al-Minuki,” he said.
He added that the different names and identities used by the terrorist helped him avoid detection for a long time despite being on international watchlists.
“This individual has been on international watchlists for a very long time,” Onoja stated.
According to him, security records connected the terrorist commander to several global monitoring agencies, including the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Nigerian security authorities.
Although the military did not provide full details of Al-Minuki’s activities, security experts believe he played major roles in terrorist operations and coordinated attacks in parts of northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
The Nigerian military has in recent years intensified operations against terrorist groups, bandits and other armed criminal gangs operating mainly in the North-East and North-West.
Several operations have been launched under joint military task forces, with support from regional and international partners providing intelligence, equipment and training.
Nigeria has for over a decade battled insurgency linked to terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP. The violence has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people, especially in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Military authorities have repeatedly stressed that while Nigeria works closely with foreign partners, actual combat operations inside the country are largely handled by Nigerian security personnel.
The latest statement by the DHQ appears aimed at addressing speculation that foreign troops directly participated in the operation against Al-Minuki.
Onoja said Nigeria would continue to strengthen strategic partnerships with friendly nations in the global fight against terrorism, especially in intelligence sharing and surveillance support.
According to him, such cooperation remains important because terrorism has become an international security challenge that requires collaboration among countries.
The Defence Headquarters also warned that several notorious terrorist and bandit leaders still being hunted by security agencies should not consider themselves safe.
Onoja specifically mentioned wanted bandit kingpin Bello Turji, who has remained one of the most feared criminal leaders in the North-West region.
Turji has been linked to attacks on villages, killings, mass abductions and cattle rustling in states including Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger.
“He cannot hide forever. It is only a matter of time,” Onoja said while speaking about the ongoing manhunt for the bandit leader.
The military spokesman also appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies by providing useful and timely information about suspicious movements and criminal activities within their communities.
He said cooperation between civilians and security operatives remained critical to defeating terrorism and banditry across the country.
According to him, intelligence from residents often helps troops identify criminal hideouts and prevent attacks before they happen.
Onoja also warned against the payment of ransom to kidnappers and criminal groups, saying such payments often strengthen their networks and encourage further attacks.
Despite ongoing military operations, insecurity remains a major concern in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers continue to affect farming, education and business activities.
However, the military has maintained that recent operations have weakened many criminal groups and reduced their ability to launch large-scale attacks.
In recent months, troops have reportedly killed several commanders, destroyed camps and recovered weapons during operations across the North-East and North-West.
The Defence Headquarters said the elimination of Al-Minuki was another major step in ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in affected communities.
Onoja assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would remain committed to protecting lives and defending the country against all security threats.
He said troops deployed in different theatres of operation across the country remained determined to sustain pressure on terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements until peace is fully restored.