The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that foreign soldiers participated in the ground operation that led to the elimination of notorious terrorist commander, Abu Bilal Al-Minuki.
Speaking during a monitored television programme, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, clarified that no foreign combat troops were involved in the mission, stressing that the operation was carried out solely by Nigerian forces with external partners providing only intelligence and surveillance support.
According to the senior military officer, the United States offered intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance assistance and other operational enablers, but there were “no foreign boots on the ground” during the highly coordinated strike.
Maj.-Gen. Onoja described the mission as a precision military operation targeted at a high-value terrorist figure who had remained on international watchlists for years.
“There were no foreign boots on the ground during this operation. What we received were intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support and other force enablers,” he stated.
He praised the professionalism, discipline and tactical competence of Nigerian troops involved in the operation, noting that the mission was executed without any casualty on the side of the military.
“We are happy to state that due to our troops’ professionalism, there was no loss of life on our side,” Onoja added.
The DHQ spokesman further disclosed that the operation was the outcome of months of painstaking intelligence gathering, strategic planning and close operational coordination before troops finally struck the terrorist’s location with precision.
Addressing earlier reports that claimed Al-Minuki had been killed in 2024, Onoja explained that the previous reports were based on mistaken identity, revealing that the terrorist commander operated under multiple aliases to evade security agencies and international monitoring systems.
According to him, the neutralised insurgent was the “original Abu Bilal Al-Minuki,” a figure long tracked by global security institutions including the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Nigerian security authorities.
He emphasized that the successful operation demonstrates Nigeria’s growing counterterrorism capability and the importance of strategic international cooperation in tackling insecurity.
The military spokesperson also disclosed that several other notorious terrorist and bandit leaders remain under active surveillance, specifically mentioning wanted bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
“He cannot hide forever. It is only a matter of time,” Onoja warned.
The Defence Headquarters further appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible intelligence, while cautioning citizens against paying ransom to criminal groups, warning that such payments often strengthen terrorist and bandit networks.
Reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to national security, Onoja assured citizens that the military remains determined to restore lasting peace and stability across communities affected by terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
