The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, has clarified that recent counter-terrorism operations involving intelligence support from the United States are being executed entirely by Nigerian troops, stressing that no American soldiers are participating directly in combat missions on Nigerian soil.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Night News on Arise Television, Major General Onoja stated that the role of the United States in the ongoing security partnership with Nigeria is limited to intelligence sharing, training, equipment and operational support, while Nigerian Armed Forces personnel remain fully responsible for battlefield operations.
“There are no American boots on the ground,” he stressed. “What they provide for us is intelligence, assets, equipment and training. Nigerian troops carry out the operations.”
According to him, the partnership model is built around American intelligence support combined with Nigerian operational deployment and battlefield execution.
Major General Onoja explained that the expanding security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States is already producing major battlefield results, including the recent elimination of notorious terrorist commander Al-Minooki during a coordinated intelligence-driven operation.
He disclosed that months of intensive intelligence collaboration, operational planning, equipment support and personnel resourcing between both countries had begun yielding concrete gains in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
According to him, the partnership backed by U.S. President Donald Trump and the leadership of United States Africa Command has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s operational effectiveness through enhanced intelligence sharing, capacity building and logistics support.
The Defence spokesman explained that the successful strike against Al-Minooki, also known as Abu Meinok or Abubakar Meinak, represents one of the first major outcomes of the renewed cooperation between both countries.
“Over the last few months there has been a lot of groundwork pertaining to intelligence, equipment and resourcing of our personnel in the North-East,” Onoja said. “These are part of the outcomes of this partnership that we are beginning to witness.”
He expressed confidence that Nigerian troops would record more decisive victories in the coming months as military pressure intensifies against terrorist networks operating across the region.
“We believe that we are still going to witness a lot of decisive war strikes of this nature, and in the nearest future the level of insecurity will significantly reduce so that Nigerians can have a safe and secure environment to carry on with their normal activities and sleep with their eyes closed,” he stated.
Major General Onoja noted that the Federal Government considers the operation a major example of effective international cooperation against terrorism, adding that President Trump had commended Nigeria’s role in the mission.
“The President described it as a significant example of effective collaboration between Nigeria and the United States,” he noted.
He reiterated that the Defence Headquarters has consistently welcomed strategic cooperation with the United States, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism intelligence and operational expertise.
“As the Defence Headquarters has always said, we welcome collaboration with the Americans,” Major General Onoja stated. “With their experience in counter-terrorism, if they provide some of those experiences and intelligence to us, we will be able to do much more in addressing the security challenges confronting the country.”
Addressing reports surrounding an earlier 2024 claim that Al-Minooki had already been killed, the Defence spokesman clarified that the latest operation successfully neutralised the actual terrorist commander behind the name.
According to him, terrorist leaders frequently operate under multiple aliases, which sometimes creates confusion during intelligence assessments.
“In 2024 another individual who was using the name Al-Minooki was reportedly killed. That was a mistaken identity,” he explained. “This time around, the individual neutralised is the original owner of that name, based on the intelligence available to us.”
Major General Onoja disclosed that the terrorist commander had remained on multiple international watchlists, including sanctions registers maintained by the United Nations, the European Union and Nigeria.
He further revealed that sustained intelligence tracking over several months enabled security forces to identify the terrorist leader’s precise location before carrying out the strike.
“Based on our intelligence estimate over the past few months, we were able to identify his precise location, and the military took the necessary action to neutralize him,” he said.
The Defence spokesman also praised the professionalism of Nigerian troops involved in the operation, noting that the mission was completed without casualties among military personnel.
“We are happy to see that due to the professionalism emphasized by the Chief of Defence Staff, the operation was carried out without any loss of lives to our personnel,” he added.
Responding to remarks by President Trump thanking Nigeria for its cooperation, Onoja reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to sustaining intelligence collaboration with the United States.
“We welcome the United States government’s partnership with us, and we assure them that we will continue to cooperate fully with any intelligence that they provide so that we can take the necessary action to end these security challenges,” he stated.
Major General Onoja also assured Nigerians that ongoing operations are targeting other notorious terrorist and bandit leaders across the country, including wanted bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
“We are fully aware of the activities of Bello Turji,” he said. “The relevant military units have been tasked and they are actively looking for him. It is only a matter of time, he cannot hide forever.”
He assured citizens that security forces remain firmly committed to tracking and neutralising high-value criminal targets nationwide.
“We are in hot pursuit of him, and very soon, just like what happened recently, you will hear reports that he has been neutralised,” he added.
The Defence spokesman further disclosed that mounting military pressure in the North-East has left several terrorist groups disoriented and operating in confusion.
According to him, some recent incidents in Borno State showed insurgents accidentally detonating their own improvised explosive devices while attempting to flee advancing troops.
“That shows the level of pressure we are putting on them,” he stated.
Beyond counter-terrorism operations, Onoja also addressed the growing threat of kidnapping in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, revealing that military operations are ongoing to dismantle bandit enclaves and restore access to vulnerable communities and farmlands.
He warned that ransom payments by victims’ families often strengthen criminal networks by enabling them to acquire additional weapons and logistics.
“The issue of ransom payments unfortunately encourages them to reinforce their strength,” he cautioned.
The Defence spokesman therefore urged Nigerians to promptly report kidnapping incidents to security agencies rather than engaging in private negotiations with criminals.
“We need trust in the security forces,” he said. “When there is a kidnapping, report quickly to the nearest security outpost so that we can track the situation and swing into action.”
While acknowledging the fears experienced by affected families, he assured citizens that security agencies remain determined to rescue victims and dismantle kidnapping syndicates across the country.
“We understand the fears of Nigerians,” he added. “But if incidents are reported on time, it makes it easier for us to respond quickly and pursue the kidnappers.”
Major General Onoja concluded by reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace and stability nationwide through sustained military operations and strengthened international partnerships.
