By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters says no Nigerian soldier was killed during the operation that eliminated terrorist commander, Abu Bilal Al-Minuki.

Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director, Defence Media Operations, confirmed this on Saturday during an interview on a television programme monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Onoja described the mission as a carefully executed precision strike against a high-value terrorist target.

He said the operation reflected the professionalism, discipline and tactical readiness of troops involved.

“We are happy to state that due to our troops’ professionalism, there was no loss of life on our side,” Onoja said.

He said the mission was planned through detailed intelligence and close operational coordination.

According to him, earlier reports about Al-Minuki’s death in 2024 were based on mistaken identity.

Onoja said the man neutralised was the original Abu Bilal Al-Minuki, who used multiple aliases.

He explained that the aliases helped the terrorist evade detection for years. “This individual has been on international watchlists for a very long time,” he said.

He added that security records linked the commander to several global monitoring agencies.

“These include the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Nigeria,” he added.

Onoja said months of intelligence gathering led troops to the terrorist’s exact location.

He said the final operation was launched only after commanders confirmed credible intelligence.

On foreign support, he said no foreign soldiers participated in the mission.

According to him, the United States only provided intelligence and surveillance assistance.

“There were no foreign boots on the ground during this operation. What we received were intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support and other force enablers,” he said.

He said Nigeria would continue strengthening strategic security partnerships against terrorism.

Onoja also said other notorious terrorist leaders remained under active surveillance. He specifically mentioned wanted bandit leader Bello Turji.

“He cannot hide forever. It is only a matter of time,” urging citizens to support military operations with timely information.

He wanted that ransom payments often strengthen criminal networks and prolong insecurity.

He reaffirmed the military’s determination to restore peace across affected communities in Nigeria. (NAN)

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