DHQ Clarifies Identity of Neutralised Terrorist Commander Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki


By Aviashima Toom Abuja 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified reports surrounding the recent neutralisation of a terrorist commander identified as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki during a joint military operation conducted with the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026.

In a statement issued on Saturday, by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information in Abuja, the DHQ said public concerns arose after some media reports referenced a similar operation in 2024 involving a terrorist commander bearing the same name.

According to the military, the use of identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is common among members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram operating within the North-East and Lake Chad Basin regions.

The DHQ explained that the practice forms part of the terrorists’ indoctrination strategy aimed at concealing identities and creating confusion during counter-terrorism operations.

The statement noted that the Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki eliminated in the latest operation was positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network.

It added that the terrorist commander had direct links to international terrorist coordination, funding 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 said.

The DHQ described the operation as a significant milestone in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in partnership with the United States, to dismantling terrorist networks.

The military also urged the public and media organisations to rely on verified information released through official channels to avoid confusion arising from similarities in terrorist aliases.


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