The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that terrorist commanders often adopt similar names and aliases as part of their indoctrination strategy to conceal their identities, following confusion surrounding reports on the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
The clarification followed the circulation of old reports attributed to the DHQ, which claimed that Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki had been among terrorist leaders killed along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari axis in 2024.
The resurfaced reports triggered allegations that the Nigerian military was engaging in counter-terrorism propaganda, claims some security experts warned could undermine troop morale and public confidence in military operations.
Responding to the controversy, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the military remained committed to providing verified information through official channels.
“The Defence Headquarters 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 May 16, 2026,” the statement said.
“Certain media reports referencing a similar operation in 2024 have mentioned the elimination of a terrorist commander bearing the same name. This has understandably generated questions about the identity of the individual recently neutralised.”
According to the DHQ, the use of similar names, aliases, and nom de guerres is common among ISWAP and Boko Haram commanders operating in the North-east and the Lake Chad Basin.
“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 aimed at deliberately obscuring identities,” Uba stated.
The DHQ explained that the Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki killed during the recent joint operation had been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance.
“The Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki eliminated on May 16, 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. There is therefore no ambiguity in his identity,” the statement added.
The military described the operation as a major milestone in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information.
Reacting to the controversy, former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, said terrorist groups do not operate under a single leadership structure, but through multiple cells headed by different commanders.
According to him, although there were earlier reports suggesting the terrorist leader had been killed in 2024, it was possible that the previous operation involved another individual using a similar name.
Ejiofor recalled that former Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, had reportedly been declared dead several times before his eventual confirmed death.
He, however, described the latest operation as more credible because it was publicly acknowledged by the President of the United States.
Ejiofor commended the joint operation and expressed hope for stronger international cooperation in precision counter-terrorism efforts.
He warned, however, that the killing of a terrorist leader would not automatically end insurgent activities, stressing that loyalists could still launch retaliatory attacks.
He therefore urged security agencies to put proactive measures in place to forestall possible reprisals while calling on Nigerians to support the military rather than accuse it of propaganda.
According to him, such allegations could demoralise troops who continue to make sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Also commenting on the issue, former spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said the 2024 report could have resulted from a communication gap, misinformation, or mistaken identity.
Chairman of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Dr Ambrose Igboke, noted that propaganda is often associated with warfare, as parties involved usually seek to project strength and gain psychological advantage.
He stressed, however, that governments have a constitutional responsibility to provide citizens with accurate and truthful information.
Igboke warned that repeated inconsistencies in military communications could erode public trust and negatively affect national counter-terrorism efforts.
Linus Aleke
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