By Ojima-ojo Abubakar
The Defence Headquarters has clarified that terrorist commanders often operate under similar names and aliases to conceal their identities, amid controversy surrounding reports on the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
The clarification followed the re-emergence of reports claiming that a terrorist commander bearing the same name had been killed by troops along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari axis in 2024.
The resurfaced reports triggered accusations in some quarters that the military was engaging in counter-terrorism propaganda, with security experts warning that such claims could weaken public confidence and dampen troops’ morale.
In a statement on Saturday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the military remained committed to releasing only verified information through official channels.
Uba explained that the use of similar names, aliases and nom de guerres was common among Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across the North-East and Lake Chad Basin.
According to him, the strategy forms part of the terrorists’ indoctrination programme aimed at deliberately obscuring identities during operations.
He said the Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki neutralised during a joint operation involving the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026, had been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance.
Uba described the slain commander as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network with links to international terrorist coordination, funding and operations across the Sahel.
Reacting to the controversy, former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, said terrorist groups operated through multiple leaders and cells, making it possible for different commanders to bear similar names.
He recalled that former Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, had reportedly been declared dead several times in the past, adding that the latest operation appeared credible because it was announced by the President of the United States.
Ejiofor, however, warned that the killing of a terrorist leader would not automatically end insurgent attacks, urging security agencies to remain proactive against possible reprisals while calling on Nigerians to support the military instead of accusing it of propaganda.
