Amanze Chinonye
The Presidency and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) have clarified reports surrounding the identity of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the senior ISWAP commander killed during a joint Nigeria–United States military operation on May 16, 2026, following public debate over claims that the same terrorist had previously been declared dead in an earlier operation in 2024.
The clarification comes after a joint strike conducted by Nigerian forces and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which reportedly eliminated Al-Minuki during a coordinated counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin.
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In a statement issued on Saturday, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed suggestions of inconsistencies in previous military reports, explaining that references to a 2024 operation were the result of mistaken identity.
According to Onanuga, security agencies had earlier listed an individual bearing the same name among terrorists reportedly killed during operations around the Birnin Gwari forest axis in Kaduna State. However, subsequent intelligence assessments established that the attribution was incorrect.
“Security officials now clarify that the earlier listing was a case of mistaken identity or misattribution in the fog of sustained counterinsurgency operations,” Onanuga stated.
He further explained that intelligence later confirmed that the Birnin Gwari axis was never within Al-Minuki’s operational territory, making the earlier assessment inaccurate.
Onanuga disclosed that the latest operation followed months of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), supported by communications monitoring and phone intercepts that reportedly began in December 2025.
According to him, security agencies initially planned to capture the terrorist commander alive, resulting in extended surveillance operations across several locations, including Abuja and Maiduguri, before the final strike was authorised.
He added that multiple layers of verification were conducted before approval was granted for the operation, stressing that authorities were fully confident in the identity of the target.
“There is no ambiguity regarding the identity of the individual neutralised,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters also issued a separate statement addressing concerns over similarities in terrorist names and aliases commonly used within insurgent groups operating across the North East and the Lake Chad Basin.
In the statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ noted that the use of similar or identical names among ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters was a longstanding tactic aimed at concealing identities and complicating intelligence tracking.
“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,” the statement said.
The DHQ stated that the Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki killed during the May 16 operation was positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network.
According to the military, the slain commander maintained direct links to international terrorist coordination, financing and operations across the Sahel region.
“The Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki eliminated on 16 May, 2026 has 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,” the statement added.
The military described the operation as a major milestone in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in partnership with the United States, to dismantling terrorist networks operating within the region.
The DHQ also urged members of the public and media organisations to rely on official communications to avoid confusion arising from similarities in names and aliases used by terrorist groups.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
