From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified reports surrounding the recent neutralisation of a high-profile terrorist commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, stating that there should be no confusion regarding the identity of the insurgent eliminated during a joint operation involving the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, explained that recent public discourse arose following media reports referencing a similar operation in 2024 in which a terrorist commander bearing the same name was reportedly killed.
“The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to provide clarification following emerging public discourse regarding the recent neutralisation of a high-profile terrorist commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, during a joint operation with the United States Africa Command on 16 May, 2026,” the statement read.
Major General Uba noted that the use of similar or identical names, aliases, and nom de guerres is common among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists operating within the North-East and the Lake Chad Basin.
According to him, the practice forms part of the insurgents’ indoctrination strategy aimed at concealing their true identities.
“It is important to state that within the North-East region and across the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is common among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists.
“This is essentially part of their indoctrination programme, which is aimed at deliberately obscuring identities.
“This fact has been established over the years in the course of counter-terrorism operations in the North-East of Nigeria,” he said.
The Defence spokesman further stated that the Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki eliminated on May 16, 2026, had been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network, with direct links to international terrorist coordination, funding, and operations across the Sahel region.
“There is therefore no ambiguity in his identity,” he added.
Major General Uba described the operation as a significant milestone in ongoing military counter-terrorism efforts.
He assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in partnership with the United States, remain committed to dismantling terrorist networks and would continue to provide verified information through official channels.
The Defence Headquarters also urged the public and media organisations to rely only on official DHQ sources in order to avoid confusion arising from coincidental name similarities.
