Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters says there is no confusion over the identity of terrorist commander Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, who was killed during a joint operation with the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026.
In a statement signed by Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, the military explained that concerns emerged after some media reports referenced a militant with the same name allegedly killed in a previous operation in 2024.
The Defence Headquarters says similar aliases and nom de guerres are commonly used by members of Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram as part of efforts to conceal identities.
According to the military, the Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki killed in the latest operation was identified through intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior Islamic State operative linked to terrorist coordination, funding and operations across the Sahel.
The military described the strike as a major breakthrough in ongoing counterterrorism efforts involving Nigeria and the United States.
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