The Defence Headquarters has clarified that no foreign soldiers participated in the military operation that eliminated notorious terrorist commander, Abu Bilal Al-Minuki.
Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this during a monitored television programme on Sunday, stating that foreign support was limited to intelligence and surveillance assistance.
According to him, the United States only provided intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support, and other force enablers, stressing that there were “no foreign boots on the ground” during the mission.
Onoja described the operation as a carefully coordinated precision strike targeting a high-value terrorist figure, adding that the mission demonstrated the professionalism, discipline, and tactical readiness of Nigerian troops.
He revealed that no military casualty was recorded during the operation due to the professionalism of personnel involved.
The Defence spokesman explained that the mission followed months of intelligence gathering and close operational coordination, which enabled security forces to pinpoint the terrorist commander’s exact location before launching the final assault.
He also clarified reports that Al-Minuki had been killed in 2024, saying earlier claims were based on mistaken identity.
According to Onoja, the terrorist neutralised was the original Abu Bilal Al-Minuki, who reportedly operated under multiple aliases to evade security detection for years.
He added that the terrorist had long been on international watchlists, including those of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Nigeria.
Onoja reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international security partnerships to combat terrorism and disclosed that other notorious criminal figures, including wanted bandit leader Bello Turji, remain under active surveillance.
